Body Art

Tattoos, traditionally reserved to social outcasts, bikers, runaways, criminal gangs and sailors, they adopted this ancient art form as an important facet of their cultural identity. However, in this day and age, tats have made a breakthrough into the mainstream, and are seen a trend. Men and Women around the world use their bodies as a canvas for a particular style of body art.

So today, we thought we’d talk about tattoos in men's fashion.

Since the sailor days, tattooing has gone from strength to strength, rising through the style ranks and growing in acceptability. Tattoo parlours are popping up everywhere on the high streets, and  no longer restricted to basements and alleyway. The likes of advertising and the fashion world have embraced the tattoo revolution, with poster campaigns full of inked individuals splashed across billboards. A quick look at the latest campaigns from the likes of Urban Outfitters, Zara and Topman reveals a plethora of tattooed models showing off the season’s latest trends. H&M, although has to be the most famous, were David Beckham graces the billboards with his heavily inked body. He has also made a recent appear in China, showing off his newly acquired tat!

The most shocking tattoo story that I have come across to date though is the new male cosmetic craze within Nigeria, a bizarre male beauty fad- pink lip tattoos for men. I just don’t get it!!! Apparently the concept of tattooing one's lower lip pink comes from the belief among men that it heighten one's attractiveness???

Furthermore, the rise in popularity and acceptability of tattoos does come with its downsides. By becoming increasingly mainstream, this ancient art form begins to lose its charm and the individualism.

Ozzy Osbourne summed it up really- 

“If you want to be an individual, don't get a tattoo. Every bugger’s got one these days.”

So it therefore could be argued that with so many going under the needle in order to achieve an individual look, the nonconformists are becoming the conformed.

What do you think, do tattoos in today’s mainstream society, show individualism?