How Tattoos and Fashion are Connected: Popular Design Choices, Fashion-Forward Tattoo Placement, and More

Throughout time, tattoos have been a way to express the wearer’s identity—whether they belonged to an ancient tribe or want a portrait of their beloved puppy. In contrast, while clothing can be an expression of a person’s own personal style, the world of “fashion” has often been seen as a reflection of the broader society, including its preferences and aesthetics. 

While it’s not an obvious connection, these two realms have come to influence each other in profound ways, showing that artists across all different mediums pay attention to one another and pull inspiration and influence from so many different places.

This article will delve into this give-and-take dynamic that these two worlds have and what it means within the broader cultural framework. 

Tattoos as Early Fashion Statements

There are a lot of contributing factors when it comes to tattooing’s influence in the fashion industry. Much like our fashion choices today, the earliest tattoos were a way to communicate a person’s societal standing, personal history, and life journey. For example, ancient Polynesian cultures used tattoo to portray a person’s lineage and personal achievements. Additionally, traditional Japanese tattooing often portrayed popular myths and motifs that the wearer believed reflected their own personal growth. 

In both of these examples, you can see the use of “flow,” which tattoo artists use to define the way a tattoo sits on the body – an aspect so important that it is among the first lessons they get when learning how to tattoo. Especially with larger tattoos like these, the general linework and movement of the piece flows along the person’s musculature, accenting their body, as if the tattoo belonged there all along. You can probably detect the strong parallel between this principle and the thought process of clothing design, meant to accentuate a person’s body effortlessly. 

On the other hand, when you look at more modern tattoos in the 20th century, tattoos were primarily considered “rebellious.” Most people who got tattoos were on the outskirts of society like sailors and bikers. 

And while tattoos were considered countercultural, influential figures in fashion took notice, finding something in the raw, authentic appeal of tattoos that was worthy of being shared with a broader audience.

For example, well-known designers like Jean Paul Gaultier and Alexander McQueen, known for their eagerness to push boundaries, embraced tattoo the use of tattoo art in their designs. Gaultier’s 1994 “Les Tatouages” collection, for instance, featured garments printed with tattoo designs, very clearly creating a bridge between fashion and body art in a way that hadn’t been seen yet. Tattoos could be considered “chic.” 

Fashion-Forward Tattoo Placement

In the same way we see designers pulling inspiration from tattoos, we can see the tattoo world following the fashion industry’s lead, turning tattoos into fashion accessories when it comes to choosing different tattoo placements. 

For example, the demand for delicate collarbone tattoos has exploded, as artists and clients alike have found that much like a well-chosen necklace, a collarbone tattoo can highlight the grace of the neck and shoulders, adding a layer of sophistication to any outfit.

Similarly, wrist and ankle tattoos have gained popularity for their subtlety and versatility. These placements function almost like accessories, peeking out from beneath a cuff or hemline, like bracelets and watches and rings. Meanwhile, delicate tattoos that wrap around the ear mimic earrings.

Tattoos also have started to reflect the decisions of fashion designers. Like the trend of underboob tattoos, for instance, which owes much to the rise of lingerie-inspired fashion. As designers have embraced sheer fabrics and plunging necklines, these tattoos not only complement the aesthetic – but elevate it.

Compared to the Japanese bodysuits and sailor tattoos of the past, these tattoos are understated yet impactful and perfectly aligned with the minimalist trends in fashion we see today.

At its core, the popular fashion-forward tattoo placements that have taken over the tattoo industry (especially among female clients) shows that tattoo artists take into consideration how their work will complement the client’s clothing choices.

Fashion Icons Wearing Tattoo Trends

Celebrities not only have sway over fashion trends – they can also greatly impact tattoo trends. Rihanna, David Beckham, and Cara Delevingne, to name a few, have made their tattoos an integral part of their personal brand, turning their tattoos into fashion statements. Cara Delevingne’s lion finger tattoo, for example, brought on thousands of similar tattoos modeled after hers. 

Additionally, successful fashion campaigns by brands like Gucci and Alexander McQueen have featured tattooed models to add another layer of storytelling and atmosphere to their collections.  

The Dark Side of Tattooing and Fashion’s Relationship

As with most things, there is a dark side to this relationship. Tattoo artists, still known today for being countercultural, often rip off images and logos of luxury brands in a joking way. 

On the other hand, individual designers and big brands alike have been known to use tattoo artists’ designs without consent or compensation to sell more units. Because tattoo artists are considered independent contractors, each acting as their own miniature business, it’s nearly impossible for them to take on big names and stores in an effort to get recognition or payment for their art. 

While most artists in both arenas hold respect for each others’ work, there are a few instances where the connection between fashion and tattooing has caused friction.

Final Thoughts

As we draw this exploration to a close, it’s clear the relationship between tattoos and fashion is one of nuanced complexity that calls on shared ideas that have spanned centuries. From fashion icons using the fit and flow that cause tattoos to work in harmony with the body in their own designs to tattoo clients using tattoos as fashion accessories to complement their clothing choices, there are clear crossroads between these two worlds that has turned into a beautiful and unique relationship. 

In the broader context of art, these two worlds and their influence on each other shows that artists are always expanding, pulling from other creatives and realms for inspiration in part of their continued pursuit of bringing more beauty into our daily lives.