As summer beats its heat down upon us, we find ourselves needing less and less clothing. From mid-April through most of September, a T-shirt and shorts is the norm. Anything else is too hot, and anything less might be, well, illegal. Not to worry. There are some options for the "fashion frustrated."
For women who don't want to wear a dress, but still want to wear less, this summer has seen a proliferation of spaghetti strap tops. This garment, a combination of a bra and a tube top, is quite popular among younger women because it is cool, cute, and flattering for the "chestily blessed." It is popular with men because it is cute, tight, and, also, flattering for the "chestily blessed."
Men don't have as many cute options for themselves, however. They can wear the good old T-shirt, or they can wear the notorious "tank top." The tank top, essentially a T-shirt without sleeves, is the epitome of summer fashion. Women like the tank top because it can show off a man's muscles. Men like the tank top because it can show off their muscles and their tattoos.
If you've spent any time "people-watching" this summer, you know that Allen Iverson is not the only gentleman who has several thousand dollars invested in tattoos.
Tattoos are everywhere these days. Men are getting them. Women are getting them. Little kids are getting them. I could be wrong, but I think I even saw a dog with a tattoo the other day.
Though I don't personally have any tattoos, I wholeheartedly support them as a form of free expression and creativity; right up there with body piercing, plastic surgery, and hair extensions. Where there's a wallet, there's a way, and if you derive inner peace and harmony from exterior decorating, then go for it. I'm not going to stop you. Some guys write their name in the snow when peeing out a campfire, and others have their name burned in ink on their chest. Whatever floats your boat.
A lot of people have "cool" tattoos like skulls, dragons, or American flags draped over motorcycles. Women like to get little ones around their ankles. Sailors like to get anchors tattooed on their forearms. The possibilities are endless.
However, unlike other cosmetic morale boosters, tattoos are one item that can cause extreme embarrassment down the road. What seemed like a great idea when Chip and Kyle took you drinking that night, might make you want to take your own life when you're sixty.
For example, a Limp Bizkit tattoo (I've seen many) is not something you're going to want to show your grand kids. Neither is a tattoo of a pot leaf, a guy whizzing on a Ford logo, or the name of the girl you used to date before you married the woman who you divorced right before you met their grandmother.
A severely dated tattoo, or a tattoo devoted to a fad is also a no-no.
A "Macarena" tattoo is a bad idea. So is a Spice Girls tattoo, a Lionel Richie tattoo, or a "Where's The Beef?" tattoo. In other words, think before you ink.
In addition to worrying about which tattoo you choose, you might also have to worry about how the tattoo looks, and is going to look, on your body. Bodies change over time. Men in their late '20s tend to grow body hair, and that includes on their back, and if that's where you've got a large piece of body art, you're going to have to perform constant maintenance. If you have a lot of tattoos, think of your body as a traveling art museum. Somebody has to clean up. It's great to have a tattoo of Stevie Ray Vaughn covering your entire back, but if it looks like he's wrestling a sasquatch, you might want to get out the clippers.
You'll also gain weight as the years roll on, and that will effect your tattoos, as well. That John Wayne on your arm will soon look like John Candy if you're not careful.
Whatever tattoo you pick, make sure it will stand the test of time, and that people around will be able to stand looking at it. Also, try shaving around that mole, too. Thanks.