Vintage Tattoo Designs

There are some tattoo designs that will never go out of style. Below you will find some of the most recognised styles that have been used for countless tattoo designs over the years.

Nude and Pin Up Girls

Women have been a feature of tattoo designs as long as their have been tattoos.  The women are either nude or in the pin up style.  Pin up girls became very popular in the 50's due to their real life counter parts, as many of them were based on famous stars such as Marilyn Monroe and Betty Page (a very famous pin up girl in the 50's).  Now there has been a revival of the 50's style in today's tattoo culture, there is a new love for the nude and pin up style tattoos.

In history nudes were very popular with the sailors of the time.  You have to remember that these sailors would be away from home for years and would not see a woman for months. Nude tattoos were used to remind the men what a woman looked like.  Nude hula girls were placed on a particular part of their bicep, and so when they moved their arms the sailor could make the girl dance and jiggle in all the right places...  Another Renegade favourite is of a topless lady in a hammock with the motif 'Rise and Shine'.

The Pin Up girl had the same effect however they usually had a little more clothing or a prop to cover their modesty.  The pin up girls came into circulation in the World Wars and were more popular in the American Forces.  However, they were always seductive and company for the boys fighting for their country.  Many men are still getting these pin up style girls for the same reason as going to war or to symbolise a special woman in their life.  However, women are now getting Pin Up girls to represent the strength, beauty and seductive nature of women, with the 'look but don't touch' mentality (perfect example above).

Skull Tattoo Designs

Traditionally a skull symbolised the defeat of an enemy or escaping death which why they were so popular for sailors hundreds of years ago.  Both pirates and navy men alike would be continually dicing with death, as life on the seven seas was a tough one and the two sides were constantly in battle with one another.

Skulls with a snake coming out of the eye socket signifies knowledge and immortality or the battle between life and death.  Sometimes the skull would be cracked with fire to show that the person wanted to change and chance at rebirth.

Murderers in prison used to have a skull with a dagger through it or in the teeth, as a warning of what they had done and that they would do it again, often with the banner 'Death before Dishonour'. However, some would use this design to show their hatred for the prison system and would have the tattoo in a more cartoon tongue in cheek style.  (see below for more prison tattoo design ideas)

Biker Tattoo Designs

The Biker club of all clubs was the Hell's Angels.  Tattooing was a major part of their culture, only a true Angel would be allowed to have their skull in an aviator's hat, surrounded with wings. 

Other motor bike 'clubs' soon follow suit with their own logos and specialised tattoo designs.  Most of these designs featured skulls, wings, wheels, flames, daggers and guns.  Professing to the wearer's fearlessness and bravery.

Eagles were a common theme in biker tattoos referring to the club's independence and freedom.  As the eagle is a major American symbol, it is not surprising it was a major part of the biker culture.  This strong symbol was often accompanied by an American flag occasionally flaming showing how passionate and dangerous the club was.

Skulls make an appearance in most biker tattoo designs.  They look intimidating and show how the person isn't scared of death, the grim reaper was also a popular feature.  The skulls sometimes would be more comedic and be wearing things like top hats or bow ties.  Some clubs would adopt the classic 'Jolly Roger' flag to show their pirate like behaviour.

Another main theme of these styles of tattoos was the club's motto.  Some favourites were 'Live fast, Die young' and 'Live to Ride'.

Lucky Tattoo Designs

Lucky symbols was a strong theme in these designs which as flaming dice, horseshoes or shamrocks (see Irish and Shamrock Tattoo Designs).  Gamblers have used designs showing a skull in a top hat with cards in hopes to change their luck in the game.

Heart Tattoo Designs

Hearts on their own, with banners or incorporated into other tattoo designs.  Hearts are a powerful and very traditional feature in many designs. (see Heart and Love Tattoo Designs)

Prison Tattoo Designs

Tattoos that were carried out in prisons were done in awful conditions were infection was rife. We at Renegade do not recommend getting a tattoo in prison itself!  However, the features of prison tattoos are very popular and if done in a registered tattoo parlour can make for a powerful traditional tattoo design.

Some inmates would have portraits of those who they had left behind to remind them what they had lost and what they had to come home to.  These tattoos would also be a deterrent to any future wrong doing.

Tear drops were popular in many prison tattoo designs.  They can represent each prison term or if joined with a tomb stone symbolise someone the person lost.  A more morbid meaning is that it can show how many people that person has killed.  This meant that other prisoners knew who the dangerous criminals were.

Swallows are a mainly British symbol of someone who has been to prison, a secret sign of where the person has been.