Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Tattoos - tacky or stylish? (I'm undecided)

71 replies

TooMuchCaffeine · 04/11/2011 16:30

I'm 46. I'm not a party girl, more quiet family and friend orientated stuff. I'm a self employed client facing professional (no I'm not a hooker).

It might be a mid life crisis, but I am dithering about getting a tattoo. And where to have it? So many people have them now than when I was younger. But who has them now - is it a "chav stamp" as I have heard it called - would I be making a big expensive mistake that would ruin my cred?

I'm undecided. What do you think are tattoos tacky or tasteful?

OP posts:
Rosa · 04/11/2011 19:55

Sorry don't like them - I just imagine my grandmother with one and it puts me right off......

GetOrfMo1Land · 04/11/2011 19:56

I don't like them.

I think it should be something you are 100% sure about. Otherwise there is a real potential for regret.

noddyholder · 04/11/2011 21:15

I have one and am 46 but I had it done aged 20 in thailand when i was young and gorgeous. They are 2 a penny now and they look a bit tacky mine inc!

welliesandpyjamas · 04/11/2011 21:16

Tacky

cyb · 04/11/2011 21:17

NODDERS I@M SHOCKED

noddyholder · 04/11/2011 21:18

Grin It is actually very nice people always admire it when they see it which is rare but I think they look tacky on everyone else so have to include me or I sound a bit daft!

cyb · 04/11/2011 21:19

Ok Details

Where is it

What is it

Is it a boys name

noddyholder · 04/11/2011 21:21

It is on my upper arm and its a sun. My arms are still ok thank god but I rarely show it now!

ginmakesitallok · 04/11/2011 21:26

DP has 4, 3 of which I love, 1 which I don't. He got a previous tribal thing on his arm covered last year. I think I would like one, but have never seen a design I like enough. If they are done well then not tacky at all.

headfairy · 04/11/2011 21:26

tacky... IMO

jasminetatu · 04/11/2011 21:26

If you want it, go to a really really good artist and get it. It shouldn't matter whether it might be perceived as tacky or stylish or whatever, as long as YOU love it - it's your body after all. :)

CointreauVersial · 05/11/2011 00:17

Tacksville.

Tortington · 05/11/2011 00:19

totally tacky

everyone needs a bit of tacky i think

echt · 05/11/2011 05:13

How the ageing body is hated and derided by some posters. :( Angry

knitknack · 05/11/2011 07:51

I know! As if, gasp, an elderly woman has no RIGHT to have a, gasp, wrinkly cleavage (yuk, boak, heave etc)...

It really is shocking :(

crystalglasses · 05/11/2011 14:31

What is the point of them? some posters say they have them in a place that nobody can see - so why have them? Others seem to have an exhibitionist streak, enjoying the reaction of others, the shock value, seeing themselves as having a sort of 'risky' or saucy side to them.

Do those with tattoos regard women who don't have them as rather conservative, middle aged fuddy duddies? Is that part of the enjoyment in having them?

fluffystabby · 05/11/2011 14:42

I have mine as a reminder. To me. A permanent reminder for me and only me of the babies I lost, and a reminder to me that I am strong enough to get through whatever live throws at me

Does that answer your question crystal? Smile

crystalglasses · 05/11/2011 14:52

Fluffystabby I respect your reason but still don't really get it. I've lost babies and remember them without needing a tattoo. However I concede it's a way of reminig other people that you've lost babies and there's nothing wrong in that.

crystalglasses · 05/11/2011 14:52

sorry - 'reminding' not reminig

fluffystabby · 05/11/2011 15:00

It's not to remind other people crystal, with respect, it's a permanent reminder for me - particularly one of the babies I lost who prompted the tattoo because she's not here and her twin is - it's hard to explain, but she never gets mentioned she never gets remembered it's like she never existed and I wanted a tangible thing to say that she existed.

She's a part of me every bit as much as my other kids, and I wanted for me to mark her existence (she died in utero so I can't say life but that's kind of the sentiment).

fluffystabby · 05/11/2011 15:01

The other tattoo is a personal thing that I had designed just for me and it has a meaning - again just for me - I actually regret that I didn't get that one done somewhere a bit more visible because I love it so much.

Oh and I'm 42 and had them done in my late 30's/early 40's so I suppose I might regret them yet but I doubt it, I thought a long time about each of them

TantePiste · 05/11/2011 15:09

a few more years and youth will be shunning tattoos as something old people have. tattoos have been a trend for 20 years now, whippersnappers.

bibbitybobbitybloodyaxe · 05/11/2011 15:11

Hate them all, every last one of them. I am one of five siblings, age range 28 to 54 and only one of us has a tattoo (and she only has one). Horrible things.

YusMilady · 05/11/2011 15:14

Not everyone with a tattoo is tacky - but every tacky person has tattoos.

OP - why not think of something to DO with your mid-life crisis? Getting a tattoo is only shopping, after all.

BendyBob · 05/11/2011 15:24

Mid life crisis tattoos look so desperate to me and imo are very ageing.

Better to accept you are 46 with good grace and vow to look like a fabulous woman in her 40's rather than someone middle aged trying to be 20 something.

(I am 46 btwWink)