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Style and beauty

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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:

noddyholder · 05/11/2011 15:28

The thing is when I had mine done I was in thailand and was 20 I am 46 now and although I never think about it the odd time it catches my eye and I remember that time and I always smile! I was full of optimism then and a bit wild and was travelling for a few years and it sums up that time. I am definitely not tacky but am now resigned that most other women prob look at me and think I am

fluffystabby · 05/11/2011 15:30

Well I don't care if you think I'm tacky or not

I love mine and I wouldn't change them (other than move the one I mentioned)

So NER

vjg13 · 05/11/2011 16:22

Tattoos seem to have become compulsory in the 20 to 30 age group. In about five years laser removal will be the business to be in.

I was desperate to have one at age 19 (now 44) but was put off watching my friend have one done.

mippy · 05/11/2011 16:46

I'm considering getting one to mark turning 30 - but I won't get one unless I am 100% sure on the design (have narrowed it down to three, and have been thinking it over for a couple of years) and where it will go (I want it somewhere that mostly isn't visible, because it's for my benefit and I don't want the hassle of having to cover it up if I have to go to a funeral etc.).

I think the off-the-shelf ones look tacky, that you shouldn't have a name put on unless it's your mother or someone to whom you are a mother, and faces are ALWAYS bad. But I do love sleeves on other people.

manicmummyoftwo · 05/11/2011 16:52

Beyond tacky.

mippy · 05/11/2011 16:53

There was a period when I didn't think I'd see 30, so I wanted something symbolic of that.

noddyholder · 05/11/2011 18:11

What do you mean 'beyond' tacky?

jeee · 05/11/2011 18:16

If you have to ask other people whether you should get a tattoo, you shouldn't.

crystalglasses · 05/11/2011 18:22

I agree with others who say that tatto removal businesses will be the next big thing.

MrsSnow · 05/11/2011 18:35

MIL and FIL got them done a while ago...seriously uncool.

Seriously tacky

blossoming · 05/11/2011 18:41

I paid £40 for mine 20 years ago. And about 15 times that much to get it removed.

Everlong · 05/11/2011 20:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RuthChan · 05/11/2011 20:39

Everlong:
But how will that sleeve look when he's 65?

Everlong · 05/11/2011 20:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

beatenbyayellowteacup · 05/11/2011 20:56

There are tattoos and there are tattoos. Hard to generalise, I don't think all are tacky but some certainly are.

Some scream "tramp", others whisper "adventurous/open minded" in my humble opinion.

cleo2412 · 05/11/2011 22:48

Getting a tattoo is a very personal thing, while I can appreciate the artistic side of some of them,and for some people it is memorial or an inspirational piece to remind them of a certain time in their lives, you will unfortunately be judged by it. They are largely seen as "tacky", and to road test it , why don't you get a henna one done and see how you feel about it, the permanency of a real one, if you hate it, the laser procedure to undo the damage , your skin will never be the same again, it will basically look like you have been burned, not to mention the cost! Good luck

Original poster

TooMuchCaffeine · 14/11/2011 10:34

Wow! Sorry I was offline for a while since my OP. Mixed views then, but coming down on the "no" it would seem. I do have my ears peirced with three holes (from the 80's) but only ever use the two bottom holes. I guess I could just get some nice diamond studs for the unused ones - so I can be quietly edgy. Perhaps I am having a mid life crisis by even considering it a tattoo?

OP posts:

Wordsonapage · 14/11/2011 10:44

Arf at quietly edgy diamond stud.

Original poster

TooMuchCaffeine · 14/11/2011 12:37

OP posts:

deltawab · 17/11/2011 12:53

I'm hijacking the thread here, for this i apologise!

But i want to ask all the tatt savvy ladies - i have a very faded (looks more bluey than black) rather large tattoo on my upper arm, done when i was 24, 14 years ago. I'm wanting it covering with another design, ideally something lighter/brighter (i have a flower in mind) do you think it can be done? Only the tattoo that i have now, is actually a cover up itself, the original tattoo that was there was loads smaller & was done when i was 17.

ThatVikRinA22 · 18/11/2011 01:14

mine is fab! just had it done last week and i love it - mid life crisis or no, its on my profile pic (but do ignore the last pic of my swollen foot....that was for the benefit of the lady who was giving me aftercare advice on my tat thread! )

i had an appt last week for something completely unrelated and the person said "i didnt have you down as a tattoo type person"....jobs a good un!

i only ever wanted one, on my foot. its quite large, (dont do things by halves!) but i do really love it. im 39 btw....i wouldnt have had one on any wobbly bits!

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