10 Best Traditional Tattoos: Best Ideas for Traditional Tattoos

Traditional or Old School tattoos are the tattoos you imagine being on Salty Sea-dogs or roughneck bikers. They conjure up images of daggers, sparrows, and hearts with Mom written across them. They are the quintessential classic tattoo. But, you don’t have to be an outlaw or an old seaman to get one, anyone looks great with a traditional tattoo.

That is why we put together our list of the 10 Best Traditional Tattoo Ideas. These old school tattoos range in size, shape, and subject. But one thing they all share in common is style, arguably the most recognizable style in the world of tattoos, the OG, the old school, the Traditional tattoo style.

So, dock your ship at port, or kick down your hogs kickstand, and enjoy our list of the 10 Best Traditional Tattoo Ideas…

#10: Traditional Aces and Flowers Tattoo

We start off our list of the 10 Best Traditional Tattoo Ideas with this 'Lucky" tattoo. The bold simple design of the four aces and the flower, complete with the lucky banner exemplify what makes a traditional tattoo. Plus, this tattoo reminds us that we make our luck, we don't need to be dealt the the cards, we can create luck anywhere by choosing how to perceive the events that happen around us. Choose to unlucky and you will be, choose to be lucky and... you will be, it's all in your perceptions .

Tattoo done by Sarah

#9: Old School Diving Helmet Traditional Tattoo

Well before the days of scuba people used to explore the unknown depths of the deep in the "Copper Hat", the traditional diving tattoo pays homage to divings old school roots. There are many sea related traditional tattoos, and those tattoos have many different meanings, so they make perfect traditional tattoo ideas wether you are a salty sea-dog or not.

Tattoo done by Sara

#8: Traditional Stay Creepy Tattoo

Tattoos and weirdness have a long tradition of being close, that is what makes this old school stay creepy traditional tattoo so great. The colors work perfect, and the undead hand making the horns as it rises from the flower covered grave give it a very traditional old school horror movie feel. Stay creepy indeed. 

Tattoo done by Sara

#7: Traditional Rose and Dagger Tattoo

'Roses are red, violets are blue. I am going to stick a sick dagger in one, and make a cool tattoo. The traditional rose and dagger tattoo is probably one of the most popular tattoo ideas ever, and for good reason, these old school tattoos look awesome. There is reason why these tattoos have been popular for so long, they truly are classic tattoos.

Tattoo done by Sara

#6: Traditional Dog Portrait Tattoo

Mans best friend makes mans best traditional tattoo. This dog portrait tattoo, done in the traditional tattoo style is #6 on our Best Traditional Tattoo Ideas list. The traditional flower mixed with the almost neo-traditional dog portrait makes this tattoo nothing to bark at.

Tattoo done by Steve

#5: Traditional Cat Portrait Tattoo

We can't have dogs without cats, that's why next on our list is this traditional cat portrait tattoo. The blues in the cats eyes, the collar, and the flower, really make this tattoo pop, and I would say that this traditional cat portrait tattoo is the cats meow.

Tattoo done by Sara

#4: Traditional Sneaky Fish Tattoo

To polish off our pet trifecta, we have this traditional sneaky gold fish tattoo. He must realize that he is the lowest on the pet food chain as well, because he is cruising around with a shark fin to keep his natural predators at bay. The old school style of this tattoo combined with it's subject matter makes this "bad boy" one of our favorite traditional tattoo ideas.

Tattoo done by Ryan

#3: Traditional Snake Eagle and Skull Tattoo

A good omen since the bronze age, the snake and eagle tattoo is a true classic in our list of classic traditional tattoos. This particularly tattoo is an old school take on the Mexican coat of arms, the eagle represents all the good, and the snake which represents all that is evil is about to be eaten up by it, yum.

Tattoo done by Sara

#2: Traditional Blackwork Snake and Roses Tattoo

Traditional tattoos always bring to mind bold colors, however they can also be done beautifully without color as this blackwork traditional tattoo proves. A combination of two classic traditional tattoo elements, snakes and roses, this tattoo is as timeless as the traditional tattoo style.

Tattoo done by Sarah

#1: Traditional Boxer Tattoo

"You're no gentleman!" Get your stiffest mustache wax because this tattoo is ready for fisticuffs. Our #1 Best Traditional Tattoo Idea is the traditional boxer tattoo. And it's easy to see why, it's a scrappy tattoo that looks straight out of an old film reel. Not to mention, the tattoo itself is covered in traditional tattoos! Talk about two for one... #1 that is!

Tattoo done by Ryan

We hope you enjoyed our ode to the old school, the 10 Best Traditional Tattoo Ideas list. What traditional tattoo ideas were your favorite? Where there any traditional tattoo ideas we forgot on our list? Let us know in the comments below.

Did this leave you waxing nostalgic and wanting a traditional tattoo of your own? Then make sure to book you tattoo at Mr. Inkwells tattoo shop, where one of our classically trained tattoo artists can turn your old school tattoo dreams into a reality.

See you soon!