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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want a sleeve tattoo done on my arm?

310 replies

JellyDiamonds · 12/10/2014 13:00

Ive been looking at getting another tattoo done for a while now but have been unsure on what to get done and where. Whilst looking online for inspiration I've seen some amazing sleeve tattoos and have decided that I want one of them, the designs and artistry are amazing. I think that if they are done properly by decent tattoo artists then they are like works of art.

The thing is that everyone I've told about it has looked at me like I'm going mad. My mum was absolutely horrified, said that they are "revolting" and that I'll look like a sailor. But I don't think I will, I saw a photo on Facebook of a friend of a friend and she had a floral sleeve on her arm and yet still managed to look feminine. Not that I'm particularly feminine and girly anyway, but the point I'm trying to make is that not all sleeve designs are for blokes who start fights in pubs which what my mum was clearly trying to get at.

Should I just bite the bullet and go for it?

OP posts:
BlueBrightBlue · 12/10/2014 18:25

I don't dislike most modern tattoos, however I don't want to be wearing the same clothes in 10, 20,30 + years time.

Bogeyface · 12/10/2014 18:55

I know a few people with these and they all said the same thing, that they wanted something personal and unique yet they all look the same!

OK so the designs are different but you have to get up close and personal to see that. And someone I know who has had one for over 20 years looks like his arm has run in the wash! All the colours have bled, the black is blue and blurred, not a good look at all.

and YY to fashions changing, you cant move in our school playground for feet covered in stars and kids names on the back of the neck.

squoosh · 12/10/2014 18:58

I often see rockabilly style girls with tattoos on their chest and boobs and wonder if they'll ever regret them.

LosingAllTheLego · 12/10/2014 19:00

Whoever it was that said about not wanting to look at the same pictures forever..... What utter nonsense!!!

My favourite paintings have been so for many years. A beautiful work of art will always be so.

I have tattoos, but always have them in places I can easily cover them should I so choose to. Each of them was designed specifically for what I wanted, and each of them means something to me. If there comes a time in my life that I don't like the actual picture any more then it will remind me of the time in my life that I did! And they will always hold the same meaning for me.

It's personal choice, and I get what people are saying about the shifty stars, Celtic bands etc. But do bear in mind that as tattoos have grown in popularity, so has the available skill increased, and technology / materials are far superior now to even 10yrs ago. I've had my oldest for 9yrs and it still looks new because I care for my tattoos properly.

goodasitgets · 12/10/2014 19:02

Sorry but the quote about the house was me. I've had so many choices about my body taken away from me over the last few years, that's why it resounded with me
I wanted to decorate it, and it was my choice for once, nobody could take that away from me
It might sound stupid to you unless you know why it makes so much sense to me.
In any case I work for the emergency services, I only have one visible tattoo and the rest are never visible generally day to day

SnakeyMcBadass · 12/10/2014 19:12

I liked the house metaphor.

Only you can decide, OP. I'm currently considering a small tattoo in a place that will mostly go unnoticed due to clothes etc, and I can't say I care much how other people feel about it.

BeyondTheLimitsOfAcceptability · 12/10/2014 19:21

I like the house metaphor too.

BeyondTheLimitsOfAcceptability · 12/10/2014 19:23

Also found this. In answer to "but what will it look like when you are x age". :)

BeyondTheLimitsOfAcceptability · 12/10/2014 19:23

Also found this. In answer to "but what will it look like when you are x age". :)

BeyondTheLimitsOfAcceptability · 12/10/2014 19:23

Also found this. In answer to "but what will it look like when you are x age". :)

To want a sleeve tattoo done on my arm?
BeyondTheLimitsOfAcceptability · 12/10/2014 19:23

Oh fuck off! Grin
aimed at mn site being dopey, not a person

Bogeyface · 12/10/2014 19:44

Those look fairly new though. If she had had them done when she was 30 they would look a lot different.

clam · 12/10/2014 20:14

In answer to "but what will it look like when you are x age".

Bloody awful, regardless of how old she is or when she had them done.

Topaz25 · 12/10/2014 20:47

I think all that matters is that she feels beautiful and she clearly does. She looks happy and confident. At her age she's probably learned not to care much what other people think.

Topaz25 · 12/10/2014 20:51

Who cares what anyone else thinks? A tattoo is for you. Do your research into the design and artist to make sure you will be happy with the result then go for it! A sleeve can be easily covered by...sleeves so shouldn't affect your career prospects.

Sapat · 12/10/2014 21:24

bogeyface same here! I stand out because I am the only one without a tattoo! I was quite surprised when come summer, all the mums revealed massive tatts. Unfortunately not one worth seeing iykwim.

WanderingTrolley1 · 12/10/2014 22:05

I (can't help but) equate tattoos to graffiti.

froootbat · 12/10/2014 22:09

Your body is your temple and you can decorate it (or not decorate it) to your taste!

clam · 12/10/2014 22:13

I agree Trolley and people can call it "street art" as much as they like, but I think it still looks a right mess.

TwirlyCat · 12/10/2014 22:45

Think of the design you would have chosen 15 years ago. Would you be happy with it now? Do you wear your hair the same, dress in the same fashion as 15 years ago? It is extremely hard to choose a truly classic design.

Bogeyface · 13/10/2014 01:04

People saying they will always love the design or at least what it meant at the time.....I had one when I was 21. Its very small and hidden by all but the most revealing of bras! But...I dont still love it and when I look at it I think "Christ, I was such a fuckwit at 21!". I dont hate it but I do think I shouldnt have had it. If I had had a whole armful I dread to think how I would feel now.

plentyofshoes · 13/10/2014 02:16

A family member has had one done recently. Bright pinks and blues. It limits what clothes she wears as alot of other colours do not match it at all.
She had not thought of that?!

Stupidhead · 13/10/2014 03:15

I think if you're asking advice on this then you have your answer already.

I don't know many people who haven't got a tattoo but that is my and DPs lifestyle/music and group of friends - no, we all have jobs and don't go on Jeremy Kyle...some have full sleeves (and bodies) but not due to fashion.

I think the sleeves for fashion will get very old very quickly, I'm already sick of seeing koi carp and cherry blossoms, or those gypsy type scary women, again nothing original or something personal to the owner. They just got it because it was pretty.

Koi carp are last seasons tribal sleeves and the one before's barb wire band. The 90s tramp stamp is the 2000s three black stars on the hand and the 2010s scribbling on the wrist.

backbystealth · 13/10/2014 04:11

I think it's worrying and a bit Confused that you seem to want 'a sleeve' rather than a particular tattoo or a unique, meaningful collection of tattoos. That says to me you see it as a fashion statement. It does matter about tattoo trends because A.N.Other sleeve will look dated in 10 years when every third person will have them. As many previous posters have said we all know dozens of people with Chinese/Arabic writing, barbed wire and Celtic bands and they all look pretty sad. None of them look unique or interesting! I think you need to think long and hard about why you really want this done.

JapaneseMargaret · 13/10/2014 05:02

Agree that the very fact that you want a sleeve means that it's, at least in part, being done for reasons of fashion.

I don't have any tattoos, and I have to admit that I am secretly quite glad that sleeve tattoos are having their moment now. By the time my DC are old enough to get them, they will look so dated as to be completely unthinkable.

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