Tattoo spots

[AdvanSienaGeneration]

Hey guys,

I'm thinking of getting a tattoo soon (1st one ahh) and hopefully one or two others to follow. I'm hoping to get some advice on a spot. Currently I'm employed in a very uppity profession (law) that limits me to where I can actually get one (ie places that won't show through my shirt).

I'm dying to get a small 1-2" great wave off the coast of kanagawa wave (Hokusai) somewhere.

My number one choice right now is on the side of my hip right where my belt is (I wear my pants lower at the hip not the waist) - but I was wondering if this was an OK spot for a (straight) man to get one.

Other place I was thinking of was on my side torso partially underneath my arm.

If you guys have advice I would love to hear it, thanks

-John

[Erin]

Congrats on deciding to get your first tattoo! Make sure you have really researched artists before you choose one, and do not be afraid to travel a little to find a good one.

That being said, get the tattoo anywhere you want! There is really no spot that is exclusive to men or women. Besides, who cares if there is!

Also, just my thought on it, but 1-2" is VERY small, especially for a great wave. A tattoo that small would not do the subject matter justice.

[AdvanSienaGeneration]

Thanks! And yeah I agree... thats what the first shop I inquired about told me. I might have to go a little bigger since I'm dead set on it and it's such a powerful piece

[The GD]

Good luck on your first tat, a couple of things come to mind.

1. unless you wear shorts on casual days any where is really fair game, I went with the ankle and gradually revealed it to my peers until I knew it was accepted.

2. Be careful with the waist or anywhere that gets a lot of agitation, during the healing process constant rubbing can wreak havoc on your lines

3. Put it where ever the hell you want, I'm a little to chunky for a rib tat but they are definitely a cool spot. But I have to agree the 1-2 inches may be a blurry mess over time.

Finally I say ribs or ankle and make it big enough that you can add to it later (cause we know you will), use google there are a few pics out there.

GD

[Johnny]

Dude get the tattoo anywhere you want so you wont regret it later, and go bigger then that a lot bigger. But if you want to get a small tattoo get it on the top of your foot, that wave would look sick there (I heard that the top of the foot is the most painful spot to get a tattoo on). Good luck with your tattoo

[gookymo]

I agree with everyone's posts. 1-2" is way too small! I think the wave would flow great on your ribs. But it would have to be pretty big and getting tatted on your ribs is gnarly. I work in a office too and I think as long as tattoos don't show past anywhere the wrists and above the neck than you're fine (just don't plan on going to any company picnics with a T-shirt on). nice SW20, i had a 240 with a sr20 swap a few years back!

[JD LaRish]

if you're gonna do the ribs (side torso) do the whole dang thing.
from armpit to waist. it's a sucky spot to get tattooed but if you're gonna get something there go BIG.
in my opinion it'll just look so much better that way.
actually no matter where you get it, go big.
as long as you're not wearing paper thin white shirts most things won't show through so you have many choices of where to get the tattoo.
that's my 2 cents on all that.

[escapeartist]

I totally agree with that. I just got my first tattoo, well started it anyway, on my ribs. Originally I wanted it about 4 x 8" right under my armpit. My artist came up with something much bigger that extends all the way onto my hipbone and wraps from under my nipple onto my back. I am so glad he did too. It's a curvy shape not unlike your wave, so it gives you an opportunity to make it flow with your body. GO BIG man. And ribs can't be that painful in comparison...the worst part for me was the kidney area where it's soft, not over the bones like a lot of people say. It's a few hours of your life. Who cares if it hurts a bit...right?

[AdvanSienaGeneration]

Good call guys and thanks for the advice. I've been going back and forth pretty nerve racking but I feel a lot more confident going bigger. It can be simplified but I don't think it should have to be. Probably looking at at least CD sized.

And yeah I'm already thinking on how I might change it later / add lol (add a starry night etc)... I suppose its rather addictive just don't want to end up with a yakuza mural going across the back within a year :P Hopefully I'll manage it well though w/ no regrets!

Thanks again

[JD LaRish]

CD size is probably about the smallest you should go with this design.
go B.I.G. my friend go B.I.G.
also,
if you're already thinking of "adding" to it later why not work with the artist now and plan the whole thing out. it will have much better continuity and flow that way instead of looking like two tattoos on next to each other.

[Erin]

These 2 above are exactly right. Go BIG, I truly believe you will be sorry if you do not. CD sized is not big enough, especially if you are going to add to it, as you are already talking about.

Do you have an artist in mind?

[Kip Gordon]

You may not want a Yakuza-style piece, but have a look at the original body pieces they do. Those guys don't have anything showing when they wear a suit...lots of options!

[Miguel Collins]

I know your supposed to be able to put a tattoo anywhere, but . . . . .

I've sat with tattooers right after they have done a piece on a guys lower back and right after the guy leaves everyone busts out laughing thinking about how gay that spot was ( not that there is anything wrong with being homosexual).

That being said some spots do have different connotations than others.