The Best Tattoos to Get in Winter, According to the Pros
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There's something calm and peaceful about winter. Because of the holidays that follow each other around this time of year, a lot of us get to spend more time at home winding down with family and loved ones and less time out and about. Not only is it the ultimate excuse to spend almost every day in the warmth of your own home and cozying up with a cup of hot cocoa, it's also the perfect time to get a meaningful tattoo.
Hear us out on this one. While it's true that the "right" time to get any kind of ink is when you're ready, as dermatologist Elliot Love, DO, previously told POPSUGAR: "It's fine to get a tattoo in any season you want, but it's important to remember that whether it's the winter or summer, it's not the temperature that matters, it's sun exposure."
That's why some might argue that it's better to get a tattoo during the colder months since your skin will be exposed to the sun a lot less, meaning you're less likely to experience fading, or sweat and potentially cause an infection. It's also far easier to hide your designs in winter, when oversized sweaters and pants are the norm.
To help you narrow down the choices, we've asked a handful of pros for the best tattoo ideas to get in winter (including some trending designs that are getting a lot of buzz these days). From strategic placements to seasonally-appropriate designs, let these options ahead be your guide.
Winter Tattoos: Abstract Ink
If you want to go the trend route, there's no better time than now to get an abstract-style tattoo. "[These] have been quickly gaining popularity, and I believe that will continue," Lauren Westervelt, tattooist for Brooklyn-based studio Fleur Noir, tells POPSUGAR. "These tattoos tend to interact with the body in unique new ways, which we will see more and more of in the coming years. They can have a specific meaning, or they can be completely open and adaptable with the shapes, composition, or details."
Winter Tattoos: Abstract Ink
Popular abstract tattoos can include bold lines and shapes and can be placed anywhere on the body, from areas you can hide (like your back or stomach) or easy-to-spot places (like your arms and wrist).
Winter Tattoos: Abstract Ink
The best part about abstract tattoos? By getting this design in the winter, if you go big and bold, you'll have adequate time to let the ink heal before skin-baring season begins.
Winter Tattoos: Peek-a-boo Placements
"Tattoos covering larger areas have always been trendy and won't go anywhere, but it seems like people are going back to more thoughtful and strategic tattoo planning," says Trudy Lines, tattoo artist at NYC's Bang Bang Tattoo, adding that people will be opting for visible areas this season — to an extent. "Delicate and simple tattoos in visible and unique placements that aesthetically emphasize the body part are going to be a major trend this year."
Winter Tattoos: Peek-a-boo Placements
Some of Lines's favorite examples of peek-a-boo tattoos include "a flying bird, placed off-centered on the back of the hand as opposed to placing it on a more discreet body area."
Winter Tattoos: Peek-a-boo Placements
Of course, one of the most popular placements for peek-a-boo designs are on the bum or hip area. (Be sure to check out our favorite butt tattoos here for more inspiration.)
Winter Tattoos: Seasonal-Themed Ink
If you love winter just because you love winter — and are getting a tattoo to celebrate the season — there's no shame in being literal with your ink of choice. Think: snowflake tattoos, logs on a fire, cozy scarves (maybe just not a red one, unless you're a fan of Taylor Swift's . . . ), and more.
Winter Tattoo Idea: Seasonal-Themed Ink
With these types of designs, they're fun factor extends beyond the season, too. "Traditional flash designs" like these that are "simplified and re-created in a modern way" will always be on-trend, says Line.
Winter Tattoo Idea: Seasonal-Themed Ink
Perhaps the most popular tattoo to get in winter is the snowflake tattoo, but what that looks like can vary depending on the size of the flake, how many you choose to incorporate into the design, and where you place it on the body.