Permanent Accessories
Tattoos and piercings losing their taboo
Written by Clara Padgham, Fashion Staff Writer
Illustrated by Alexa Kantor, Contributing Illustrator and Designer
Permanency is a concept many people fear because the idea of having something last forever is daunting, considering opinions change. Those commitment issues are the reason a lot of people abstain from tattoos and piercings. The ink may fade but the tattoo will still be there, and the piercing can eventually close, but what happens when the hole doesn’t disappear? It’s time to throw caution to the wind––forever can be fun!
Tattooing is an incredible art form, and tattoos are a beautiful way to show sentiment. Sometimes thoughts or actions are so meaningful that they are worth memorializing permanently. On the flip side, tattoos can simply be light-hearted and spontaneous. If you like it and won’t hate it after a few years, then go for it. I recently got a tattoo of cherries. Do they have meaning? No. Is it a cute and fun tattoo? Of course. Do the red and green ink lines complete every single outfit? Without a doubt. Meaning or no meaning, a person’s body is their own so they can embellish it as they please.
Although tattoo trends are something to be careful about because they sway people into getting something that they may not love forever, here are a couple of trends crowds are loving. Patchwork sleeves are stunning; they are many small, individual tattoos up the arm (Wilson, 2022). The tattoos fill the space to make a sleeve, but the effect is more like a collage than a singular mural. Plus, tattoo artists can help build the artwork, so there is no commitment to a full sleeve at once. There is much more freedom in how the canvas fills.
We are also living for red ink tattoos. Red ink tattoos are traditional line tattoos but are done completely in red. This style is modern, sleek, sexy and oh-so vicious. We love how the tattoos decorate the body with a small splash of color.
Albeit a little less permanent than tattoos, piercings can still perpetually manipulate the body’s appearance. Earrings are the cherry on top of the perfect outfit, and they complete a head-to-toe ensemble. We are currently obsessed with ear constellations, which are earrings that travel up the ear in different sections of the cartilage (Lawrenson, 2021). Constellations add so much decoration, and there is no need to worry about symmetry between the left and right. Plus, jewelry can always be switched up to change color schemes or earring shapes. An ear constellation can be 100% unique.
If you’re debating that new tattoo or piercing, do it! Forever does not have to be scary. There is beauty in watching tattoos fade and piercings change. Watching our bodies slowly become a canvas of memories is a wonderful way to live.
Sources:
Wilson, J. (2022, Oct 19). 101 best patchwork tattoo sleeve ideas that will blow your mind! Outsons.
Lawrenson, A. (2021, Feb 18). Constellation Piercings Are Inspired by the Night Sky, and We Can't Look Away. Byrdie.