People have many reasons to get inked.
Some people use tattoos as a form of self-expression, reflecting their personal style.
Some use it as an outlet for gender expression.
For others, it is a way to pay tribute to their loved ones or immortalize certain memories.
Tattoo trends have evolved over time, and various factors have contributed to this evolution.
“They have the power to make a certain style or design popular overnight.”
The economy is another factor.
According to tattoo artist Leilani Rodrigues ofLeilani Tattoosin Vancouver, there are other factors at play as well.
This imagery can range from skulls and roses to pin-up girls to nautical themes.
In other words, the neo-traditional style is the updated version of the old-school classic American tattoo style.
This allows for experimentation with border color palettes and more dynamic compositions.
KC Wladichuk explained that the aesthetic feel of the neo-traditional designs is the reason they’re trending.
“Neo-traditional designs combine the classic aesthetic of traditional tattoos with more contemporary elements.
With traditional American design, you are bound to a certain aesthetic with little to no space for customization.
Anime is known for its use of bold colors to tell a story.
Likewise, this tattoo style makes use of vibrant colors and detailed shading to create a three-dimensional effect.
Many millennials grew up playing certain video games and watching anime.
Now, as adults, they’re choosing tattoos to remain connected with their inner child.
These tattoos offer alotof room for personalization and customization.
Microrealism tats
Microrealism is a tattoo style in which hyper-realistic images with intricate details are created.
“It remains to see whether these tiny tattoos will hold up over time,” Wladichuk admitted.
This is because tiny tattoos tend to blur out as the skin ages.
Minimalist designs
Minimalist tattoos are small and elegant.
They have seen a steep growth in popularity in recent years and will remain on trend in 2023.
Such tattoos are often muted, featuring simple shapes and clean lines.
Many factors contribute to the popularity of minimalist designs.
They do not require a lot of planning, unlike more elaborate designs.
They also consume less time and less money, making them far more accessible.
Another merit of this design is its size.
These small tats can be inked almost anywhere on the body.
“Minimalist tattoos often use simple shapes and symbols to convey deeper meanings or emotions,” Alpi explained.
“These designs can be deeply personal and hold a lot of significance for the person wearing them.”
Nowadays, these tattoos can be used to express a person’s heritage or ancestry.
“These tattoos have been a popular trend in the industry for decades.
KC Wladichuk agreed, saying, “Regardless ofwhere the tattoo is placed, tribal tattoos are extremely popular.
They have huge cultural significance, and the current generation is proudly re-rooting themselves by reclaiming these designs.”
During the 16th and 17th centuries, indigenous tribal tattoos were considered barbaric by European colonizers.
Oftentimes, the people getting these designs were ignorant of the symbolism and significance.
Reclaiming your culture and heritage through tattoos is beautiful; however, cultural appropriation is never a good look.
The name comes from the fact that they actually look like little stickers on your skin.
“This can make for a visually striking and eye-catching tattoo.”
Like minimalist designs, the popularity of sticker sleeves is a welcome change in making body art more accessible.
Ignorant tattoos
Ignorant tattoosfeature simple linework with no color or shading.
Ignorant style designs originated as a counter to super meaningful tattoos.
They poke fun at the idea that tattoos need to be packed with hidden meaning and symbolism.
Celebrities like Harry Styles and Dua Lipa also have ignorant style tattoos, as do many of their fans.
“Abstract designs may incorporate a wide range of styles and techniques,” Leilani Rodrigues told The List.
“They are popular because they are very customizable and encourage a great deal of creative expression.”
“Abstract designs are for the art collectors.
So many melty interesting designs have been popping up”, the tattoo artist revealed.
“Some of these pieces are an ode to famous painters like Dali and Picasso.”
Abstract can be subtle or bold, and they can incorporate another style of tattooing negative space.
This particular abstract style is a great fit for experimenting,” Wladichuk told us.
Hand-poked tattoos
We expect to see many hand-poked (aka stick-and-poke) tattoos in 2023.
“It can create a unique, handmade look.”
Hand poking is a unique style that is usually done by artists who specialize in the form.
Since this is done by hand, there are some limitations when it comes to designs.
Mostly, hand-poked tattoos contain carefully placed lines and dots that form simple, elegant designs.
As Leilani Rodrigues told us, hand-poked tattoos have their fan following for a variety of reasons.
“They are frequently less painful than conventional tattoos,” she explained.
