38% Call ‘Tramp Stamps’ Tacky in Poll Results
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Tattoos can be a hotly-debated topic, but nothing has sparked quite the debate as the lower back tattoo. Often referred to as a “tramp stamp,” the positioning of the ink is controversial among many people.
We wanted to know whether this specific tattoo placement really was tacky, or whether the stigma surrounding it is overblown. So, we conducted a lower back tattoo poll about the polarizing placement.
As part of our poll, we surveyed 465 people and uncovered some surprising, and maybe even divisive, opinions.
The Methodology of Our Lower Back Tattoo Poll
The goal of our poll was to gain insight from a broad spectrum of people and what they thought about low back tattoos. The way we did this was asking participants to share their thoughts about this type of tattoo.
We offered them six possible options for how they could respond: if they believed these tattoos were stylish and sexy, tacky and outdated, or fell somewhere between. In addition, we attempted to gain insight into how people felt about the term “tramp stamp” and whether this trend has faded over time.
The poll was distributed over social media channels so we could reach a diverse demographic.
The Results: A Mixed Bag of Responses
The results of our poll were a little bit surprising. They showed a very mixed bag of opinions, almost as varied as the many different popular tattoo styles.
Here’s what the respondents told us they thought about lower back tattoos:
- No, they’re outdated and tacky: 38%
- It depends on the design and placement: 21%
- It’s a personal choice, and I support whatever someone wants: 21%
- Yes, they’re sexy and stylish: 10%
- They were trendy once, but not anymore: 6%
- The term “tramp stamp” is offensive: 3%
A Deeper Dive into the Data
Perhaps the most surprising takeaway from the poll is that almost 40% of people believed that lower back tattoos are both outdated and tacky. This suggests that the trend, which was very popular as recently as the early 2000s, no longer has the luster it once had.
At the same time, it’s important to point out that this wasn’t the opinion of a majority of people.
A little more than one-fifth of respondents said they believed whether a lower back tattoo was appealing or not depends on design and placement. This speaks to just how personal tattoos are, and how much of an effect on the perception of ink that tattoo artists themselves have.
The same percentage of respondents (21%) believed that it should be left up to the person getting the tattoo where it should be placed, signaling that they believe people shouldn’t be judged for expressing themselves however they want to.
This sentiment aligns with a broader shift in society, which is much more supportive, accepting and inclusive of people and their forms of self-expression, as well as body positivity in general.
Only a small percentage of respondents (6%) believed that lower back tattoos are in vogue no longer, and an even smaller percentage (3%) agreed that the “tramp stamp” term itself is offensive.
Lower Back Tattoos: Staying Around for the Long Haul?
Almost since they burst onto the scene in the late 1990s and early 2000s, lower back tattoos have been simultaneously the subject of both derision and fascination.
Initially, they were celebrated as a choice that was sexy and stylish, especially among female clientele. But, as this tattoo placement became more popular, the negative connotations surrounding it did, too, eventually resulting in them coming to be known as “tramp stamps.”
Even though lower back tattoos aren’t nearly as popular as they once were, they still hold a special place in the hearts of the tattoo community.
Some people believe they stand for boldness and make a statement regarding confidence and sexuality. Others believe they’re no longer relevant and should be left in the past.
Still, our poll results suggest that it’s not an easy black-and-white decision for people when they’re asked their opinion on lower back tattoos. Things such as personal preference, intent and design all play a critical role in whether people believe this style of tattoo is either a regrettable faux paus or an unending piece of art.
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Lower back tattoos might not be as trendy as they once were, but they still remain a powerful symbol of personal expression for some people, as our poll results highlight.
No matter how you feel about them — whether you think they’re tacky, sexy or misunderstood — lower back tattoos certainly still stir up strong opinions. This hammers home the age-old saying that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
If our lower back tattoo poll has inspired you to design a unique lower back tattoo of your own, try out our AI tattoo generator. It’s the perfect tool you can try for free to create a design you can call your own, no matter the style or placement you land on.
