With tattoo trends changing almost as often as the trends on social media, some tattoo styles still defy time, gaining immunity to any and all passing-by trends. Want to guess which tattoos we are talking about?
Yup, you’re absolutely right; it’s American traditional tattoos! To honor this never-dying trend, we’ve rounded up some of the most beautiful specimens done in recent days, and although these old-school tattoos did change during the period of their natural evolution, the core still stayed the same.
Traditional American tattoos, also known as old-school tattoos, are a distinctive style of tattooing that originated in the United States in the late 19th century, gaining their full-on popularity in the early to mid-20th century and keeping it to this day, too. These tattoos are characterized by their bold and icon-like designs, vibrant, often primary colors, and thick black outlines.
Now, these designs did not come out of nowhere and were heavily influenced by the maritime and military culture of the United States. Basically, it was the thing of all G.I. Joes and Marines.
Of course, most of these iconic tattoos were done by someone who couldn’t be called a full-fledged tattoo artist but rather someone with the apparatus and some basic ink. However, at the very same time, tattoo culture started forming, and in that time, two very prominent artists became well-known and helped tremendously in shaping the American tattoo style – Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins and Bert Grimm.
And yeah, although these old-school tattoo designs might not look exactly like their predecessors nowadays, this style is still very important in shaping tattoo culture. It has spawned several new tattoo styles, like neo-traditional and new school, which use the same iconic designs and bold outlines but add more depth and shadowing to the designs.
Overall, traditional tattoos played a huge role in shaping tattoo history, and the style is still as popular as it used to be. And if you were looking for something bold and timeless, this list might be just it!
#1 American Traditional Flower Arm Tattoo
Image source: travstattoos
#2 American Traditional Bird Arm Tattoo
Image source: stefanpauli
#3 American Traditional Half-Sleeve Tattoo
“My American traditional half-sleeve! Done by Chris Fernandez at Kings Ave Tattoo in Manhattan, NY.”
Image source: trevora721
#4 American Traditional Bird Tattoo
Image source: nikotattooartist
#5 American Traditional Sparrow Shoulder Tattoo
“Tim wanted a mirrored image of a sparrow he had on his other shoulder.”
Image source: travstattoos
#6 American Traditional Heart Stabbed With A Knife Belly Tattoo
Image source: stoyjunx
#7 American Traditional Leg Sleeve Tattoo
“New banger for the American traditional leg sleeve from Matthew Luettger at Red Quill Tattoo in Lincoln, NE.”
Image source: mandarinorangesalads
#8 American Traditional Eagle Tattoo
Image source: lurkdiggler
#9 American Traditional Gilmore Girls Inspired Tattoo
“American traditional Gilmore Girls tattoo long street collective, Columbus, Ohio, Gregory Lahm.”
Image source: sillysunshine317
#10 American Traditional Peacock Leg Tattoo
“American traditional peacock. Done by Tyler Caron at Electric Umbrella. Nanaimo, BC.”
Image source: sterburks
#11 American Traditional Film Roll Tattoo
Image source: marc_christinat
#12 American Traditional Froggie Reaper Tattoo
Image source: natpowertat
#13 American Traditional Surrealistic Horse Shoulder Tattoo
“One of my favourite J$ designs for Isla, thank you for the trust!”
Image source: chalkstattooer
#14 American Traditional Rose Tattoo
Image source: tattooalemao
#15 American Traditional Eagle & Rose Belly Tattoo
“American traditional eagle & rose by Dré Perales at Mothers Tattoo in Elsmere, KY.”
Image source: rustybenson4l
#16 American Traditional Butterfly Back Tattoo
Image source: livleonardi_
#17 American Traditional Heart Tattoo
Image source: alexduquettetattoos
#18 American Traditional Heart And Rose Tattoo
Image source: corycraft
#19 American Traditional Woman Face Thigh Tattoo
“American traditional by Bobby (Red Dagger Tattoo Houston, TX) done in Georgetown.”
Image source: rusi150
#20 American Traditional ‘OK’ Hand Gesture Tattoo
Image source: the_lambo_scoundrel
#21 American Traditional Heart With Birds Tattoo
Image source: heatherdelbene
#22 American Traditional Tattoos For Mom And Dad
Image source: brandoche_tattoos
#23 American Traditional Skull Tattoo
Image source: kucci_tattooer
#24 American Traditional Ship Tattoo
Image source: sundancetattooparlor
#25 American Traditional Heart Shoulder Tattoo
“American traditional mom tattoo done by Johnny Baker at the Ink Elephant in Mcallen, TX.”
Image source: lgarz286
#26 American Traditional Sun And Moon Chest Tattoo
Image source: marc_christinat
#27 American Traditional Lighthouse Tattoo
Image source: oliviakuotattoo
#28 American Traditional Crying Heart Tattoo
Image source: lurkdiggler
#29 American Traditional Moth Tattoo
Image source: cheweymolina
#30 American Traditional Lighthouse Arm Tattoo
Image source: moccagatta_
#31 American Traditional Sun, Cloud And Lighting Tattoo
Image source: ericcarranzatattoo
#32 American Traditional Toucan Arm Tattoo
“First tattoo – American traditional toucan by Jon Glessner at Key City Tattoo – Frederick, MD.”
Image source: rubberbandrider
#33 American Traditional Stormy Eye Arm Tattoo
Image source: jasonabma
#34 American Traditional Lighthouse Tattoo
“So stoked with how this turned out! Bright, bold and classic is what I love to do!”
Image source: jasonabma
#35 American Traditional Birds Tattoo
Image source: mikereedtattoo
#36 American Traditional Dagger/Flower Combo Arm Tattoo
Image source: nick.lazcano
#37 American Traditional Leg Tattoos
Image source: mugstattooer
#38 American Traditional Bat Tattoo
Image source: tomvelingtattoo
#39 American Traditional Heart Tattoo
Image source: stoyjunx
#40 American Traditional Skull Leg Tattoo
Image source: cllhn_tattoo
#41 American Traditional Tiger Tattoo
“Tiger on the shin, thanks Tiffany for letting me add to your cool collection.”
Image source: hectorlopeztattoo
#42 American Traditional Lighthouse Tattoo
Image source: gordoncombs
#43 American Traditional Ship Back Tattoo
Image source: fergusontattoos
#44 American Traditional Master Sword Arm Tattoo
“American traditional master sword by Zack Hendlmyer at Tattoo Timmy’s, Turnersville, NJ.”
Image source: DanThePenguin
#45 American Traditional Grim Reaper Tattoo
“American traditional grim reaper by Travis at Inksmith & Rogers Jacksonville, FL.”
Image source: Codith96
#46 American Traditional Turtle And Flowers Arm Tattoo
“American traditional turtle done by Josh at True West Tattoo, San Luis Obispo, CA.”
Image source: Cookedhampster
#47 American Traditional Panther Tattoo
“My American traditional panther done by Kitt Kaufman at High Noon Tattoo in Phx, AZ.”
Image source: alecjbrandt
#48 American Traditional Eagle Ribs Tattoo
“American traditional eagle done by Jeffrey at Howdy Tattoo in St. Louis, MO.”
Image source: ElpacoDeltaco
#49 American Traditional Cobra Arm Tattoo
“American traditional cobra by Justin Martinez, Element Tattoo in San Antonio.”
Image source: Revblis
#50 American Traditional Spider Web Tattoo
Image source: livleonardi_
#51 American Traditional Sweet And Sour Girlies Heart Leg Tattoos
Image source: livleonardi_
#52 American Traditional Monstera Tattoo
Image source: alenaxmcdonald
#53 American Traditional Classic Dagger Arm Tattoo
Image source: marc_christinat
#54 American Traditional Under-Knee Flower Tattoo
Image source: jstattooing
#55 Matching American Traditional Taylor Swift Tattoos
Image source: sav.hasty
#56 American Traditional Roses Tattoo
Image source: goodlucksailortattoo
#57 American Traditional Butterfly Tattoo
Image source: deepakmunsami
#58 American Traditional Candy Heart Tattoo
Image source: brandoche_tattoos
#59 American Traditional Cobra Arm Tattoo
“One of the tats I made for the cancer benefit. Shop was packed all day long. We made a lot of tats, and raised a lot of money.”
Image source: travstattoos
#60 American Traditional Sacred Heart Tattoo
Image source: cheweymolina
#61 American Traditional Fish Tattoo
Image source: tonytrustworthy
#62 American Traditional Eagle Chest Tattoo
Image source: cheweymolina
#63 American Traditional Woman Face Chest Tattoo
Image source: cllhn_tattoo
#64 American Traditional Woman Face Leg Tattoo
Image source: hectorlopeztattoo
#65 American Traditional Skull Tattoo
Image source: ziziktattoos
#66 American Traditional Chili Peppers Tattoo
Image source: mustyrattats
#67 American Traditional Dagger Tattoo
Image source: vinnytattoos
#68 American Traditional Crying Heart Tattoo
Image source: kelseyflegal
#69 American Traditional Ship Arm Tattoo
“American traditional ship by Jeremiah Wayne at Think Tank Tattoo in Denver.”
Image source: only_my_buisness
#70 American Traditional Eagle Tattoo
“American-traditional eagle piece by Jason Phillips at Ftw Tattoo in Oakland.”
Image source: stilsk
#71 American Traditional Ship Tattoo
“American traditional ship by Derek Sayeg at gGenuine Electric Tattoo in Van Nuys, CA.”
Image source: ghost_dodo
#72 American Traditional Dagger Tattoo
“American traditional dagger by Matt Stebly at Twisted Anchor Tattoo in Ocean Springs, MS.”
Image source: NIKRP0R0S
#73 American Traditional Rose Tattoo
“American traditional rose by Adam at Chapter One Tattoo in San Diego.”
Image source: Robalonches
#74 American Traditional Rose Tattoo
“American traditional rose by Andrew at Electric Souvenir (Chicago, IL)”
Image source: _Anon_Amarth_
#75 American Traditional “Don’t Tread On Me” Adaptation Tattoo
“American traditional ‘Don’t Tread On Me’ adaptation done by Mauricio Pastor at West Texas Tattoos.”
Image source: CEREBRAL_BOR3
#76 American Traditional Skyrim Tattoo
“My merican traditional inspired Skyrim piece done by Lee at tooth and nail in Davenport, IA.”
Image source: elitefatninja
#77 American Traditional Clipper Ship Leg Tattoo
“My American traditional clipper ship, my Matt Wetmore at Distinkt Designs, Horton MI.”
Image source: RamonaFlowersWannabe
#78 American Traditional Boxer Arm Tattoo
“American traditional boxer. Done by Alex Duquette at Blue Blood Tattoo in Ottawa.”
Image source: crazed4sens
#79 American Traditional Scorpion Tattoo
Image source: vangelis.tattoos
#80 American Traditional Snake Tattoo
Image source: mikereedtattoo
#81 American Traditional Skull Arm Tattoo
“Hey guys, just wanted to know your opinion of my new tattoo… I currently serve as a combat medic and decided to get an American traditional style depiction.”
Image source: WhitePegasuss
#82 American Traditional Rose Tattoo
Image source: jord.hershberger
#83 American Traditional Mermaid Tattoo
Image source: ales_kbr
#84 American Traditional Panther With Hearts Tattoo
Image source: hutch.tattoo
#85 American Traditional Heart Tattoo
Image source: alexduquettetattoos
#86 American Traditional Dragon Arm Tattoo
Image source: daniel__strauss
#87 American Traditional Eagle Hand Tattoo
Image source: gordoncombs
#88 American Traditional Tiger Back Tattoo
Image source: aaroncaldow
#89 American Traditional Spider Tattoo
Image source: corycraft
#90 American Traditional Armtattoos
“My two new American traditional style forearm pieces from Hugh Sheldon at Cloak And Dagger in London.”
Image source: csh_vrw
#91 American Traditional Owl Arm Tattoo
“American traditional owl – by Steve at Cobra Custom Tattoo Plymouth, MA.”
Image source: Bajfrost90
#92 American Traditional Arm Tattoos
Image source: jamiecraddock1
#93 American Traditional Black Panther Tattoo
Image source: darius_cappelli
#94 American Traditional Gorilla Leg Tattoo
Image source: vinnytattoos
#95 American Traditional Arm Tattoos
Image source: mountainviewtattooparlor
#96 American Traditional Spider Arm Tattoo
Image source: tat2eyes
#97 American Traditional Skull Pirate Tattoo
Image source: doug_stern_tattoos
#98 American Traditional Bird Tattoo
“I had the pleasure of tattooing this tattoo on my brother in honor of our grandparents.”
Image source: tommy_wenzell_tattoos
#99 American Traditional Tiger And Dagger Tattoo
Image source: deepakmunsami
#100 American Traditional Bear Tattoo
Image source: thomashearntattoos
#101 American Traditional Circus Tent Tattoo
Image source: jrlegardatattoos
#102 American Traditional Gator Head Tattoo
“American traditional gator head by Daniel from Black Torch in Baton Rouge.”
Image source: og_mr_d
#103 American Traditional Rose Tattoo On Hand
“American traditional rose by Emil Dz at order of the sacred crow in Woodbury, NJ.”
Image source: 6xltshirts
#104 American Traditional Elbow Tattoo
Image source: sarapurr
#105 American Traditional Tattoo
Image source: pottertatts
#106 American Traditional Berries Arm Tattoo
Image source: brandoche_tattoos
#107 Ompletely Healed And Lived In Chestpiece (One Year Old)
#108 My First American Traditional Piece Done By Evangelyn At Walkers Point Tattoo, Walkers Point, Wi
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