Old School Tattoos

Old School tattoos have certainly made a comeback in recent years.  Tattoo artists say that it is not only sailors who are walking around clad in old school tattoos anymore.  People are coming into the tattoo salons every day requesting these shapes and styles that were most popular years ago, well before the tattoo industry was even an industry. 

The style of old school tattoos was made popular in the 1940s and 1950s, mostly by sailors who spent the majority of their time away from home, drinking heavily, and traveling at sea.  When they would stop in various cities, often they would get a new tattoo to mark their trip.  In these days, tattoo artists were not so easy to come by.  So they were usually referred to the artist or salon in town that would help them. 

During these years, old school was really the main style around.  With its thick outlines and limited color, the images would appear big and bold, often using simple shapes and symbols, while emphasizing the lines.  The most popular images included pin-up girls, daggers, nautical and armed forces symbols, hearts, sailing ships through the sea, and damsels in distress. Many times sailors would get special names, mottos, or dates tattooed over a ribbon banner, which is very characteristic of the old school tattoo designs. 

Today, the old school tattoo is, again, becoming popular amongst younger generations.    Sometimes the designs will remain very traditional, while other times artists or customers suggest experimenting with lines and colors to add their own twists.