The Tattoo Trends of 2026 Will Have You Feeling Nostalgic

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You couldn’t escape the aughts without overhearing someone say, “You don’t put a bumper sticker on a Bentley.” I think of that 2009 quote by Kim Kardashian a lot, as it perfectly captures how far we’ve come in our appreciation of tattoos. What was once seen as taboo or tacky is now a commonly accepted form of expression. Tattoos capture feelings (even if it’s just “I’m bored after work”), honor the people who’ve had a hand in shaping our personalities (think: a tribute to a relative who has passed or, in my case, the Spice Girls ink on my left bicep), and freeze moments in time.

Tattoos also tell stories. They reflect a sense of time, place, and our cultural experience. The trends of 2026 will capture the coming year’s vibes, just as the fingerstache summed up the obsession with hipster and twee culture in 2011. See also: the lavender sprig that took over forearms after 2015, the disco ball boom of 2020 (Taylor Swift’s “Mirrorball” might have had something to do with that), and the soaring number of angel-number flash tattoos in the last couple of years.

“I think if you are trying to get a trendy or ‘Pinteresting’ piece, you need to realize just that: It’s trending,” says Jes Valentine, a New York City-based tattoo artist and owner of Haven Studio. “Will that thing you’re thinking of inking matter to you in eight or so years?”

If the lavender sprig is still calling you by your full government name, then book the appointment and wear it with pride. “Own it with intention. If you love a lavender sprig, make it yours—change the flow, add texture, integrate meaning,” says Emmanuel Fortunato, a New York City-based tattoo artist, who adds that the goal shouldn’t be to avoid trends. “Your story makes the tattoo timeless.”

We spoke with tattoo artists regarding the trends they expect to dominate the new year, and if tattoos are any indication, 2026 is shaping up to be a nostalgic and romantic year.

Your Pet in a Locket

Getting a pet portrait is classic, but Valentine says that more and more of her clients are asking to have them inked inside heart-shaped locket designs. “It’s a trend that the client makes super personal,” she explains, because both elements of the tattoo are highly customizable. Your fur baby can have its toothy smile, for instance, and the locket can be as ornate or understated as you want.

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Nostalgic Themes

Here’s your sign to get that Titanic-inspired “Heart of the Ocean” tattoo or the vibrant Lisa Frank dolphin you once had on your math binder. There’s a growing interest in imagery from the early 2000s, the ’90s, the ’80s, and the ’70s across all ages, says Lindsee Boyer, a tattoo artist in Minneapolis.

Even people who didn’t live through these eras have been getting tattoos inspired by them, Boyer notes: “Young people get excited because the style feels new and fresh to them.”

Valentine echoes this, adding that she’s seeing an interest in motifs from the late ’90s and early ’00s, specifically. “Think tribal designs, cherries, and bows,” she says. “Basically, all the things I got when I was 18, which is fun, but makes me feel super old.”

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Microrealism

If you love the idea of a detailed depiction of your favorite trinket or your go-to bagel order inked onto your person, you’re not alone. This tattoo style has become extremely popular in our artist friends’ shops.

“Microrealism designs are so impressive,” says Kayla O’Connor, a tattoo artist at Fleur Noire’s San Diego studio. “They can be done in full color or black and gray, and are a great option if you decide to go small-scale with your tattoo.”

Carefully consider the placement of this delicate style, O’Connor continues: “You want to avoid getting it in a place that gets a lot of sun exposure, like the top of the forearm, or a place where tight clothing often rubs, such as near your bra and along your waistline,” she says.

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Fine-Line Florals

Delicate, airy, floral pieces are in full bloom. “This style of tattoo shows just enough negative space to highlight both the artwork and the person wearing it,” says Jojo Lu, an Orange County-based tattoo artist at Playink Tattoo Studio, adding that the beauty is in the detail of these designs.

Thanks to the organic shapes created by florals, each piece can be tailored to flatter any placement area. “Floral, geometric, and fine-line pieces are quite versatile,” Lu says. “They work beautifully on the arms, legs, ribs, back, and sternum. These areas provide natural flow and movement that complement these designs well.”

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Ornamental Designs

Ornamental tattoos use fine lines, pointillism, and shading techniques to adorn and enhance the natural contours of your body. With patterns that call back to Art Nouveau aesthetics and lacework, they are as detailed as they are stunning—but it’s important to recognize and understand the significance of motifs rooted in specific cultures. “Sacred geometry has that meditative, almost spiritual quality, and every line has a purpose,” says Fortunato. Before springing for that Mandala or Celtic knot design, make sure to read up on its meaning to avoid appropriating any cultural or spiritual themes.

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Meet the experts

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• Lindsee Boyer is a Minneapolis-based tattoo artist and owner of Bee Tattoo Studio.
• Emmanuel Fortunato is a New York City-based tattoo artist and ambassador for Hustle Butter tattoo aftercare.
• Jojo Lu is a tattoo artist based at Playink Tattoo Studio in Orange County, CA.
• Kayla O’Connor is a tattoo artist at Fleur Noire Tattoo in San Diego.
• Jes Valentine is a New York City-based tattoo artist and owner of Haven Tattoo Studio in Brooklyn.