Timbaland featuring Nelly Furtado and SoShy “Morning After Dark” (Thinking of famous women with tattoos is just too easy.  SoShy’s a new artist.)

Is there such a thing as a classy tattoo? I would venture to say no.  Sure, there are artsy, artistic, personal, simple, intricate, etc tattoos.  But can you really call one classy, especially on a woman?  I recently had a conversation with a young lady who tried to use “classy” as a term to describe her tattoo.  For whatever reason, that just seemed comical.

Now, I am a proponent of tattoos.  If you have a design or image that means enough to permanently add to your body, I say go for it.  Obviously, some people go too far and end up more tattoo than skin (think circus freaks and Lil Wayne….), but a couple choice things in choice places?  Sure, why not? I doubt I’ll hate either of my tattoos 30 years from now but anything’s possible.  The tiger on my side/stomach might look pretty silly if I have children or just gain a lot of weight there and the musical symbol on my back will no doubt make picking out evening gowns or wedding dresses an interesting process.  But for now, I’m happy they’re a visible (but not too visible) part of me.

Being a generally conservative person, most people are surprised to learn I have any tattoos.  My ears aren’t even pierced (mom thought I had keloids, long story).  My hair, make-up, clothes, shoes, bags, etc are all generally simple, tasteful (I hope) and classy.  Form-fitting, a-line, black and grey, chic, rounded toes and straight cuts.  While I may never grab and hold many people’s attention, I pass through their subconscious as appearing “nice enough.”  (Looking good and looking interesting are not always the same thing or anywhere near it.)

Being somewhat “traditional”, how do I justify two tattoos with the possibility but not plans for more?  I don’t.  Luckily, I don’t feel the need to.  I made decisions, paid someone to carry them out and clenched my teeth through the pain.  My tattoos don’t affect anyone but me and I like them.  But I also realized they may not always be situation-appropriate.  I chose strategic-enough places.  If I want them to show, they can.  If not, it’s pretty easy to cover them up.  Considering covering them up in the location may seem like a cop-out to some and yes, it is.  Much like other aspects of vanity, I may be happy to have them but not willing to also put them on display. Relate them to a chiseled 6-pack….

But the question still remains if a tattoo can be considered classy.  It’s easy to spot the opposite.  Trashy/douchey tattoos are intriguing.  If you find yourself staring and shaking your head at the same time, it’s probably trashy.  Pin-up girls and names of new lovers are pretty trashy.  Anything on the lower back of a woman is considered a tramp stamp.  (However, longer t-shirts and less extreme low-rise jeans are helping to limit the public sightings.)  Thankfully the armbands, especially barbed wire, seem to be falling out of favor.  They were pretty douchey.  Tattoos in very intimate places are also pretty trashy.  But considering (hopefully) only choice people are going to see them, if you’re willing to go through the pain of a needle on skin that sensitive, go for it.  Just hope if doesn’t scab badly….

But classy?  I just don’t see it.  It’s body art.  If gone to extremes, tattoos can make you look bad.  But they’re not really designed to make you look classier.  The things we do to ourselves to look good and feel somewhat like an individual seem to generally follow this line of thought.  Are holes in your ears classy?  No, not really.  The jewelry you hang from those holes may be but the holes themselves, not so much.  Classy haircuts? Eh, not really.  It largely depends on the total package.  But you can definitely go trashy that way, mullets, side rat tails, bad weave…  Classy eyebrows? Probably not.  But the drawn-on Chola look is pretty trashy.

I’ve realized I only consider attitudes and attire/accessories to be classy.  Since tattoos are permanent, in moderation, they’re just part of the total package.  If you’re not classy, you’re tattoos can’t possibly be.

Wondering where she’d put her third tattoo if….

Jo’van

February 21, 2010
Categories: Eye of the Beholder (Self-Image), The World...As I See It (Everything Else), Whole Truth, The . Tags:body art, classy, decisions, douchey, hiding, judging, permanent, piercing, tattoo, trashy . Author: tjovand

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