For All Placements, I’d Definitely Recommend:

1. Wear something black (if possible) to avoid it getting stained by the stencil or ink.

2. Prioritize comfort over style. While we know you have amazing style, we’d hate to see your favorite clothes potentially get marked or stained!

3. Bring a jumper, cardigan, or even a small blanket. Your body temperature can drop while getting tattooed, and studios are often air-conditioned, so it’s likely you’ll feel cold.

4. Communicate with your artist about what you’re comfortable wearing or removing. Very few placements require full exposure, and it’s our job as tattoo artists to ensure you feel safe and comfortable. You’re allowed to say, “I’d like to keep ___ on,” or “I’d like a privacy screen.” Any artist worth going to will understand and do their best to accommodate your requests and boundaries.

Placement-Specific Suggestions:

Arm Tattoos:

• Wear a singlet or tank top.

• If you’re self-conscious about your arms, you can arrive wearing something else and change into your singlet when you get here—no problem at all!

Lower Leg Tattoos:

• Shorts

• A skirt

• Shoes that are easy to slip off are ideal, as your artist may need them removed to avoid any discomfort.

Thigh Tattoos:

• Loose shorts

• A skirt

• If you’re worried about feeling exposed, consider wearing bike shorts underneath for added coverage.

Back Tattoos:

• A button-up shirt you can wear backward

• A loose backless shirt/dress

Sternum Tattoos:

• Wear a button-up shirt.

• Most studios will (or should) have nipple covers available, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer.

• A sticky bra is a game-changer for sternum tattoos! A client did this once, and I was amazed at how smart that was.

Rib Tattoos:

• A loose shirt that can be taped out of the way while still covering you is ideal.

• If you’re comfortable not wearing a bra, it helps avoid indented skin distorting the design when placing the stencil.

• A sticky bra is perfect here too! While it’s unlikely your breasts will need to be uncovered, you can always request nipple covers for added coverage in case your shirt slips during the session.

Chest Tattoos:

• A strapless or off-shoulder top works well, as do singlets with lower necklines and thin straps.

Hip Tattoos:

• Side-tie bikini bottoms (The tie can be undone and taped in place, allowing your artist access without you feeling exposed.)

• A loose skirt that can be pulled up around the hip but can be taped in place to cover your butt/ legs

Butt Tattoos:

• Side-tie bikini bottoms are best here.

• This is one of the few placements where it’s challenging to cover you, bringing a blanket would be great to lay over you so you don’t feel completely exposed!