To Tattoo or Not, that is the Question?

I recently was asked by a School of Flaunt devotee what my opinion was on tattoos. Well, where to start was my first thought because so many things were riveting through my mind, but then I decided to ask our School of Flaunt Devotees what they thought.

To say that a small fire storm was created between some would be an understatement but many good points were made. Some just said flat out, "NO I would never get a tattoo." While others brought up the pain aspect and how once it was there it would be there forever. Others said, "What are these women thinking? When they are 70 years old how good is that faded tat going to look?" Puhleese, I'll take that one step further, what is it going to look like on that crinkly, crepey skin? Yikes!

Some thought they looked "cheap and slutty" on a woman, while others thought they could be done very tastefully. And one person compared them to graffiti which they liked. Now that did make me laugh! Graffiti, tattoo? But this person was trying to say they were both an art form. Maybe but no one is going to pay them big bucks like they are a Picasso. Just saying … never mind!

Now the cheap and slutty comment led to a rebuttal that this is 2012 and women shouldn't be judged to be cheap or slutty because they decide to put art on their body. It is like saying a woman is a slut because she likes to wear makeup. Good point!

Another person said, "this is a fad, it is not like a pair of shoes that goes out of style and you throw them into the back of your closet when you tired of them. This is permanent, or very expensive and painful later on to have removed." While another woman admitted to having several but they were in places you couldn't see. I was dying of curiosity to ask where they were but then my mother's advice started ringing in my ears. I could hear her saying, "that would be like asking someone how much money they made or where they made love." Sex, politics and religion were off limits for polite conversation according to my Mother. And she was always right!

So let's do a retrospect of history for tattoos here in the states. By 2010 approximately 36% of Americans ages 18 to 50 had a tattoo but 40% (+/-) of Americans ages 18 to 29 years of age had a tattoo. Obviously the predominant age of tattooing is under 30 years old.

Tattoos are not just for gang bangers, bikers or Marines anymore! Celebrities have made them mainstream such as Angelina Jolie. In our humble opinion we think she should have just stuck with the vile of Billy Bob Thorton's blood around her neck. Not permanent and you can throw it away when the romance has gone bad, as in bad blood! I know that was bad. Couldn't help myself! Fortunately most actors really do use the temporary tattoos because let's face facts it is hard to play Alice In Wonderland or Mother Theresa with tats on your arms. I can hear the director screaming now, "Get the makeup artists please for these people!"

And then there are all of the professional athletes who the kids idolize who are sporting tattoos all over their arms and necks! Just had a flash, think Dennis Rodman and Mike Tyson. This is genius; show their pictures to your kids every day. Yikes! Maybe they will think twice about getting a tattoo then.

So what is the School of Flaunt position on tattoos? Welllllll, frankly we are not in favor of them. Why? Because of all of the above reasons. We couldn't say it any better than all of our School of Flaunt Devotees have. But we also will never judge a book by its cover. In fact one of my nicest friends has a tattoo which I didn't even realize until her jogging suit jacket came slightly up and her pants came slightly down as she was bending over. Shocker! MAJOR TRAMP STAMP! Flaunt flash news here; her cousin was one of the Housewives of OC. (Orange County, CA), wonder if the cousin had one too? But then I digress.

Students, remember less is more! And unfortunately many still judge a book by its cover. Our advice, keep your tats in private areas where they can only be seen by you and appreciated by your significant other. Plus your tats can take away from that lovely Dior outfit! Just picture a tat of a dinosaur or whatever peering out from the sleeve of your couture outfit. We can hear Anna Wintour now saying, "Flaunt failure!"

MAKE UP ARTIST PLEASE, WHERE IS THE MAKE UP ARTIST? ;-)

Alexandra

P.S. As for you men, well in the Board room you will be wearing long sleeve shirts. That will cover up any mistakes. But we have to admit that Colin Farrell (actor) and Adam Levine (Maroon Five) are really "fine" with their tats. O.K., O.K., I can day dream too! Calm down!!