Our guest blogger is Natalie McCreesh aka Pearl, a fashion lecturer, freelance writer and creator of Fashion Pearls of Wisdom. In this post she’ll be talking about how others perceive her as a heavily tattooed woman…
I’ve lived with tattoos longer than I have without, however I have only considered myself ‘tattooed’ more recently. There is a difference I think in having a tattoo and being tattooed. When you make the decision to become more heavily or more visibly tattooed, how people view you will change. You may or may not be aware of this at the time but it will happen. I first began to notice this after getting my knee tattooed, joining the other tattoos on my leg into a front-sleeve from ankle to thigh. Up until this point, though still fairly heavily tattooed the majority were in areas you wouldn’t see on a daily basis, back, thighs, feet. In passing you might only notice the large rooster on my shin. It seems there is a skin coverage ratio as to when you start to offend old ladies with your very presence.
I call it ‘the look’. There are three main stages to the look: shock, repulsion and judging. It’s not the sole prerogative of old ladies either, they are simply the most reliable audience. Being the kind of person to walk around with their head in the clouds it wasn’t me who noticed this first but my boyfriend who takes a lot of enjoyment in my new found super power. Since he pointed it out though I can’t stop noticing it, especially in the summer when I took to wearing very short shorts (from M&S just to add insult to grandma injury). Having a laugh about it when you are with your friends is one thing, having it happen when you are on your own can be quite another and I’m not afraid to admit it’s upset me at times. When you’ve had a bad day, got a plate full of worries the last thing you need is a group of strangers being rude to your face when your only crime was walking past them. More often than not I will stick my headphones in and sunglasses on, blocking out he world as I walk along. Other days I’ll ‘have it on me’ as my mother would say and crack out the biggest Cheshire Cat smile to the nay sayers, ten points if you can get a forced smile in return.
With tabloids reporting on Sam-Cam’s tiny ankle dolphin like she’s the first middle class woman to ever get tattooed it only broadens the gap between those of us who are more heavily tattooed rather than help shrink it. Having a tattoo is trendy, so long as it’s small and preferably cute, whilst being tattooed is still very much taboo. I’m not sure why anyone would particularly feel the need to have such a strong opinion on how I or anyone else choose to look. Perhaps I look like a criminal, or fallen woman in their eyes? Perhaps I’m just something to talk about in an otherwise boring day? Whatever the case I’m glad I stand out in a crowd, I’m glad I challenge the photoshopped beauty ideals pushed by glossy magazines. As for the old ladies, we’ll just have to wait until our generation are collecting pensions. Perhaps we’ll have something the youth of the day are doing to be shocked at, perhaps our wrinkled tattoos will be uncool to future younger generations. But at least we will have some stories to tell.
I love this post!
When you said “There is a difference I think in having a tattoo and being tattooed.” I almost jumped up and said. “Yes!” I have long felt exactly that way myself. In a sense, all tattoos are valid for their own reasons, whether they are tiny flowers on ankles, or body suits, or done because they are trendy or because of a deep personal motivation. I’m not judging. Its all good.
But I do think that when one makes the decision to cover a large percentage of their body with tattoos, it IS different kettle of fish. When I read that tattooing is becoming more accepted by the mainstream it is great to hear. However there are still limits to that acceptance, especially for us ladies. Sam-Cam’s dolphin, a inspirational word inside of the wrist, a flower on the shoulder…you know “small tasteful tattoos” – I do think that society is coming to accept that. But sleeves, back pieces, leg sleeves – not so much. When you venture into that realm, there is a difference in the visual impact, the disruptiveness, and the level of commitment.
When we choose to be heavily tattooed, I think we need to recognize this. We are going to be different – very different…forever. In my opinion, in my lifetime (i’m in my 50s) I will never see people becoming comfortable with heavily tattooed women. Although I sympathize with women who are frustrated, resentful, and angry at the reactions to their heavy tattooing, I also think (and please believe that I don’t intend to be mean here) “Well, what did you expect?”
We are different, very different, way outside the norm. And we made the choice to make ourselves different, in a very radical way. And with choices come consequences. When we make the choice, we must consider the consequences, and accept them. Yes it is narrow-minded, and wrong for for so many people to be so judgmental about tattooing. Yet that is reality that we must live with.
When I chose to get my Japanese half sleeves I absolutely knew that I was crossing a line, and life would be different for me from that point onward. I was prepared accept the consequences. For me, that meant the end of short sleeve tops in most situations, as well as leaving myself open to nasty comments on the occasions when I chose to display my ink.
Like you, I’m glad I chose to be different, and not just to “have tattoos,” but to “be tattooed.” The occasional obnoxious comments are painful and make me angry, but I knew they would come, and I accept them. But they are all washed away when I see myself in the mirror when dressing in the morning. I’m proud of my tattoos, I love them and I look better with them, I love that they are not just “on me”, but are “part of me.” They make me happy. That’s all that matters.