To ask what a classy tattoo is?

[Confussedandoutoftouch]

Ok, please don’t shoot me down this is an honest question from an obviously out of touch person. ( name changed obviously)
But what the hell do people mean when they say that a tattoo is classy or amazing art work??
I see them everywhere but have never seen anything that I would say was attaractive on flesh.
They are various degrees of quality of art work yes but classy nope.
On another thread people were saying they had high quality tattoos but what does that even look like? Surely to anyone judging a tattoo is a tattoo I e a permanent mark on your body?
I would assume people like David beckham and Robbie Williams must have the higher quality tattoos? Basic As they have the money ? But to many people they would be judged poorly in a few real life settings. I would not personally say I like the look.
Sorry but pondering the consequences of not being aware of a difference and wondering if judgments are being made on artwork quality Within the tattooed population and the non tattooed are just judging any tattoo?
Explane probably photos required here.
Sorry about typos struggling with iPad tonight

Individual with meaning or reflecting the person's personality (not generic fashion type styles)
Well placed and sits well on the person.
Well executed.
Appropriate to the person's lifestyle and not likely to inhibit their choices.

I don't have any; I never thought of an image that I'd want to permanently live with on my body. I won't say never but probably unlikely. However I can appreciate the artistry of a well done tatoo.

I don't like tattoos.

DH does and has quite a few (all can be hidden - he works in a very senior potion in finance).

He's discussed all of them with me and made "modifications" to the designs as a result.

I'll be blunt. There are some I do actually "appreciate" for their artistry, but overall I think he'd look better (to me) without them.

I feel it's quite a personal thing if I'm honest.

There are clearly really poor quality tattoos which it's it's easy to denigrate.

However, there are some that are technically very complex and beautiful - I just wouldn't want them on my skin, but others feel differently.

An oxymoron

I've just had my first tattoo in my 40s to cover the scars from my double mastectomy. It is a huge tattoo which took 4 sessions but has given me an enormous amount of confidence back and I think it is classy, even though I have never been a "tattoo person". It is a beautiful Japanese style design and rather than avoiding the mirror, I now like what i see

Aww, @HollyHocks13, that sounds like a good use of tattoos, and I am glad it has given you some confidence back

Op. If you want one get one, find something you’re drawn to, or that means something to you, and do it.
Who bloody cares what anyone else thinks, do it for yourself and enjoy it.

Tattoos?! Has anyone informed the village elders?!

I recruit people for a living. I don't give two fucks if they have tattoos. People who hate them seriously need to get a life.

@IfItIsntYerManRobert

Arguably, 'classy' and 'sophisticated' aren't in the eye of the beholder. They're fairly fixed

In what way are they fixed? Where is the comprehensive list of what is and isn’t classy? I would argue that they are entirely subjective terms which would be massively influenced by many variables such as background, culture and beliefs to name but a few!

classy is a word that = tacky to me.

So if someone said anything I had was 'classy' I'd take as an insult.

I think some tattoos are beautiful.

Frida Kahlo? A very important artist, yes but classy?

Oxymoron.

None. Really dislike them. Have a tattoo on my hip, boyf and I got matching tattoos. I still cringe at the memory!

I had a matching tat with my first love, got it aged 17. He died two years later. I still look at it every day and remember him.

There is no such thing as a classy tattoo.

What actually do you mean by classy? For what it's worth I have lots, very visible, and I'm an NHS nurse. I can honestly say that with each one I've had I have grown in confidence and for someone who has always hated everything about themself that's a pretty big deal. If someone thinks I'm the opposite of "classy" whatever that means, or thick for having them then they can go fuck themselves, as I care not one shit what judgemental twats think about my choices about my body.

There’s no such thing

I think societies in which tattoos denote your status within the community would beg to differ...

Who gives a shit if someone thinks they are classy or not? It baffles me that these people who think they have more class than other because of x y z are blind to the fact that their snobbishness and obsession with class isn't very 'classy' at all. Live and let live, and keep your opinions to yourself.

Definitely this tattoo of the babycham logo

I thought some of the tattoos here were very striking. The way they were done and the intent means you have very fluid, simple lines.

www.inkedmag.com/original-news/theworldpiece

Classy? Tattoos are appreciated by the individual. They have chosen what to display on their body. When it comes to anyone else's opinion: not your circus, not your monkeys. Each to their own. But sure, jump on the chance to merrily judge away, you might even get to clutch some pearls

One that's been done well; correct inks, shading, tone of ink in comparison to skin tone. Freestyle instead of template a tattoo that actually has meaning or a story behind it.
I think it's easy tk say what ISN'T a classy tattoo; one that's been done when artist/client is wrecked, a tattoo on a body part that won't hold ink well etc

I remember when not too long ago the only people who had tattoo's were sailors and truckers. I don't see the appeal in tattoo's, sorry.

I’ve know about tradition of sailors having tattoos but I can’t say I’ve ever examined truckers that closely.

Always worth bringing this out for an airing

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/aug/11/devastated-by-my-sons-tattoo

Best totally OTT, all-about-me, drama llama reaction to an adult child’s tattoo.

I know David Beckham is talented and loaded but I do judge so when I see tattoos I think,

Working class
Low self esteem
Poor judgement
Impulsive
Less educated
Less likely to be a professional such as Dr or solicitor
Most definitely not an individual and certainly a sheep

If I see a man on a dating site with tattoos I immediately rule him out as unsuitable.

I know there are exception such a Zara Philip or Sam Cameron foot one. I still think of the above category!

Many Olympic athletes have tattoos of the logo of the games in which they competed.

That’s classy.