Here’s the field guide to different tattoo styles you didn’t know you needed
So you want to get a new tattoo, but you have no idea where to start. Should it have deep, serious meaning for you, or are you fine with pulling something off a flash sheet because it looks cool? Are you into heavy outlines and bright colors, or is soft black and grey more your speed? Who should you even see to get work done? The answer here, by the way, is definitely not someone doing work out of their garage. Have no fear, dear reader. I’ve put together a definitive tattoo styles guide, including the top styles as well as some of the top artists in each specialty.American Traditional
One of the oldest tattoo styles, American traditional was the result of early sailors wanting to permanently commemorate their high sea voyages. They’re known for having bold, black outlines and a limited color palette (because hey, tattoo ink wasn’t exactly what it is today). Typically, traditional designs include pin-ups, swallows, anchors, daggers, and roses.