The term feminine is often defined as a characteristic or quality that is delicate, light, soft, and often gentle in nature and appearance. And while those notions may be true for some, they don't fit the bill for others. When it comes to tattoos, it's anyone's game. Although “feminine” tattoos tend to be defined by certain elements—styles like watercolor, fine line, and minimalist, tattoos don’t have a gender.
“I think anything can be a 'feminine' tattoo,” says Hayley Richman, a Montréal-based tattoo artist. “Tattoos are so personal and reflective of the person wearing them. To me what makes a tattoo ‘feminine’ is just that the person wearing it feels like it emphasizes their unique expression of femininity.”
When it comes down to it, it’s all about getting a tattoo that fits your taste and style by working with an artist who can bring those elements to life. While some people think heavy blackwork tattoos lack that energy, others welcome the look.
“Personally, I believe 'feminine' tattoos are defined more so by the canvas rather than the design,” says Kaylee Ruiz, a tattoo artist at The Ink Lab in Queens, New York. “Men commonly get small tattoos in positions that are considered more 'feminine,' like the ankle, ribcage, or behind the ear.”
No matter who you are or what design you’re going for, Ruiz says don’t shy away from it because you don’t think it’s “feminine” enough. Or if you think it's too feminine for that matter–if you like it, go for it.
“Every individual has the right to express themselves with their tattoos,” says Ruiz. “We shouldn't pigeonhole certain designs for certain genders. I encourage everyone to be as big and as bold as they see fit, regardless of their gender.”
Meet the Experts
- Kaylee Ruiz is a tattoo artist at The Ink Lab in Queens, New York.
- Hayley Richman is a Montréal-based tattoo artist.
If you aren’t sure exactly what a “feminine” tattoo looks like, but you know you want your next piece of ink to give off that energy, here are 26 ideas to inspire your next design.
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Spine Tattoo
“A lot of the women I tattoo like to showcase the more ‘womanly’ features on their body,” says Richman. That includes high-movement areas like the spine, shown here.
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Cursive Phrase Tattoo
Word or phrase tattoos aren’t intrinsically “feminine,” but playing with a cursive font and fine line work will give it that air. Space the letters out both to keep it from crowding and to play up its dainty aura.
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Anime Tattoo
Don’t ditch a design you love because you think it’s not “feminine” enough. This image, though usually done in a thicker, bolder style, benefits nicely from the thinner lines and more subtle detailing.
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Thin Line Tattoo
“Fine line tattoos have also become more prevalent nowadays,” says Richman. From an astrological sign to your favorite animal, any tattoo design instantly feels more “feminine” when done in a fine line-style.
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Cherub Tattoo
Although the cherub featured in this piece of ink is male, it still gives off a “feminine” feel. This is achieved with a shading design that incorporates floral elements.
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Butterflies Tattoo
A butterfly may seem naturally “feminine,” until you see a tattoo like this. Lifelike depictions of several different butterflies look like something we would see in a natural history museum.
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Bold Font Tattoo
If you want to go with a word or phrase tattoo, don’t feel like you have to opt for fine lines or cursive to get the “feminine” feel. Bolder fonts or thicker writing can be just as “feminine” thanks to placement or the spacing of the letters—it’s all in the details.
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Anatomically Correct Heart
Anatomically correct or realistic designs tend to have a reputation for being more “masculine.” Adding traditionally “feminine” elements like delicate lines and simple dots can help to tip the scales.
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Vibrant Floral Tattoo
“Floral pieces are considered feminine, [but] this is a recent tattoo I did on a male,” says Ruiz. The coloring and spacing keep the piece feeling delicate and "feminine."
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"Feminine" Symbol Tattoo
For a tattoo that is intrinsically “feminine,” stick to symbols that often represent womanhood, like roses or a crescent moon. Don’t feel like you have to be minimal, either—add as many elements or as much detail work as you'd like to create your ideal ink.
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Bold Tattoo
“Bigger and bolder tattoos are traditionally considered more masculine,” says Ruiz, “but... I've done [some] in the past that have a delicate look to them.” To balance out the bold look, follow Ruiz’s advice and stick to delicate details.
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Thick-Lined Tattoo
“Bold-lined traditional tattoos were some of the first that made it into mainstream culture and were mainly seen on men at first, which I think is why some people think they are more ‘masculine,’” says Richman. “But I've seen very feminine people with bold tattoos!”
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Blackwork Tattoo
Don’t shy away from heavy blackwork in your design. Instead, use it in a way that highlights the design—as seen in this ankh tattoo—to create a more lightweight-feeling piece of ink.
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Large Tattoo
“There is a common idea that smaller, more petite tattoos are ‘feminine,’ but that couldn’t be further from the truth,” says Ruiz. Tattoos like this lion design still give a “feminine” vibe, despite having many elements and being quite large.
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Snake Tattoo
“Masculine” designs like snakes or heavy blackwork don’t need to be avoided for a “feminine” tattoo. Instead, try adding elements to play it up, like these flowers.
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Thigh Tattoo
Some placements, like along the thigh as seen here, seem to be more popular with women getting tattooed, which gives them a “feminine” reputation. “I suppose the most common areas I get requested by women are on the wrist, ribcage, sternum, spine, tricep, hip, and top of the forearm,” says Ruiz.
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Dark Tattoo
“I think society is only recently getting used to the idea of a heavily tattooed woman,” says Richman. While dark or bold tattoos have the reputation of being “masculine,” the increase in women getting them is slowly reshaping their vibe.
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Ankle Tattoo
Even something as simple as placement could affect the “feminine” energy of the tattoo, as opposed to the design itself. This small evil eye tattoo placed on the back of the ankle is gone of our favorite variations of the design and placement.
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Shoulder Tattoo
There is something sexy and mysterious about the shoulder and décolletage area of the body. We love this delicate fern tattoo that traces the curve of the shoulder bone.
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Watercolor
Watercolor tattoos can be considered "feminine" because they are softer hues of their bold and brighter counterparts when it comes to color.
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Hand Ornaments
The increasing demand and popularity of micro tattoos are perfect to cover your hands. The options are endless and you can include so many dainty elements, without each design reading too "feminine."
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Deer
While a deer does symbolize femininity and fertility, it also represents piety, respect, harmony, rebirth, and longevity. A deer tattoo can also be a good option for those who enjoy nature.
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Zodiac
An astrology sign is one of the most gender-neutral symbols you can get as a tattoo, plus, it's highly personal to who you are as an individual. Your zodiac sign not only shows the time of year you were born, but it also carries meaning behind it.
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Behind the Ear Tattoo
Behind the ear is a great place for smaller tattoos, like this fun symbol. But, the location also lends itself to larger pieces that can be spread out and down the neck.
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Abstract Star
Star tattoos represent guidance, hope, and achievement, but the best thing about them is how they can be depicted. From fully shaded geometric shapes and shooting stars to more abstract twinkling versions like the one seen here; the options are infinite.
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Song
We absolutely love this tattoo idea, especially because it is super unique to your music style and taste. To make this design more or less feminine, switch up the font type or thickness of the letters.
