This style can also include black-and-gray and color realism designs, offering a variety of interpretations, says Zee. His design of a crane (a common motif in traditional East Asian art) with peonies (an element he frequently incorporates into his work) is an excellent example of the trend.
Nostalgic realism
Courtesy of @littleanniemotel
Courtesy of @littleanniemotel
Getting a tattoo inspired by a movie or pop culture moment is nothing new (I, myself, have the house from Practical Magic on my upper right arm), and the trend is only growing stronger. Motel says more and more people are getting ink that memorializes their fandom, particularly in black-and-gray realism. Her millennial clients will ask for pop culture references, like reality TV stars or homages to classic shows, as they “grow nostalgic for simpler times.”
“Tramp stamps”
Courtesy of @melissamartellart
The lower-back tattoo that was popular among women in the ‘90s (“tramp stamp” comes from the mocking that women would receive for this placement when it would peek out from under a cropped shirt) is having a renaissance. Tattoo artist Melissa Martell has seen more clients request this placement in her Cleveland-based studio, noting that the lower-back area is also “the perfect spot” for a large decorative piece. But it’s not just the placement that's getting a reboot—the once-controversial moniker is being embraced by Gen Z, too. “Women are reclaiming negative stereotypes, which were once used to disparage them, as a form of empowerment,” Martell says. As for the types of tattoos that are popular for the modern tramp stamp, she says they vary from floral and ornamental designs to bold abstracts.
Fine script
Courtesy of @lynneatattoo
Courtesy of @nicetattooparlor
Names or meaningful words, written in a delicate cursive font, remain as popular as ever. If you’re looking to try a tattoo trend as a first-timer, this might be the one for you. “Fine script feels timeless,” says Lynnea, who notes that she often tattoos their children's names on parents. While people often opt for more hidden spots for their first few tattoos, Lynnea says she’s noticed people are opting for more visible placements—such as the side of the neck or on their hands—for these script tattoos, even if they don’t have a ton of other body art.
Retro aesthetic
Courtesy of @melissamartellart
Courtesy of @melissamartellart
Martell’s needle has seen a lot of retro tattoos lately, whether it’s about incorporating the atomic stars of the ‘50s into her artwork or drawing vintage objects. “I’ve tattooed Pyrex dishes, ceramic poodles, and disco balls,” she says. Martell adds that the popularity of these designs might simply be an algorithmic side effect of engaging with mid-century kitsch content on social media. “Younger generations are just discovering these eras through social media and thrifting and vintage shopping,” she says.
Micro realism
Courtesy of @nicetattooparlor
Courtesy of @nicetattooparlor
You’ve probably seen multiple highly detailed, miniature portraits of pets while scrolling through tattoo hashtags on Instagram. Lynnea says this micro-realism, which can also be applied to tattoos of animals, people, architecture, and everyday objects, has boomed in popularity. “The phenomenal work we are seeing a lot of from artists in Asia has had a major influence here,” Lynnea says. Indeed, tattoo artists like Ellyn Yeseong Song and Linsey Lee, both from Korea, specialize in this hyperrealistic, small-scale style.
