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There was a time in place in America when Tramp Stamps were it. Appearing out of nowhere, Tramp Stamps quickly became the hottest (most popular) tattoo format in the late 90s and early 2000s.
Then ‘poof’. They disappeared from tattoo parlors all across America after being derided for various reasons.
But the funny thing about tattoos are they’re permanent. And many of those folks who got Tramp Stamps in the late 90s and early 2000s gave birth to Gen Z kids who are now old enough to get tattoos of their own. The same tattoos they grew up seeing on their parents’ lower back just above their buttocks.
Now, Tramp Stamps are back thanks to Gen Z. A viral video from a Gen Z influencer named Callie Wilson has been viewed nearly 4 million times (and counting) on TikTok. The clip starts off with the text ‘come get a tramp stamp with me.’ And it features Callie’s ‘my tattoos are my story’ moment as she gets a butterfly in the. middle of flames on the center of her lower back.
@okcallie with ease😏💅🛍🫡🦋💪🧍♀️🏋️♀️
Tramp Stamp tattoos are back thanks to Gen Z
The comments on Callie Wilson’s ‘tramp stamp’ tattoo video reveal that Gen Z has revived the iconic lower back tattoo style.
One person wrote “society is coming full circle” while another person commented “love seeing them make a comeback.” Another person on TikTok commented “yep, claim them back.”
There were, of course, people who don’t want to see the lower back targets make a comeback. Presumably, all of those people are Millennials, Gen X, or Boomers.
Someone wrote in all caps “WE ARE ABSOLUTELY NOT BRINGING THESE BACK” and another said “I’m officially old. All the work we did to undo this trend, and now it’s back.”
People are saying these lower back tats are back…
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It isn’t just the one viral TikTok with people in the comments claiming Tramp Stamps are back. Writer Tayler Adigum recently published an article on Yahoo! titled ‘I own my tramp stamp’: Why the lower back tattoo is no longer considered ‘trashy’.
In the article, Tayler writes Tramp Stamps have made a comeback ‘thanks to the notably more progressive and increasingly nostalgic nature of Gen Z.’ While these lower back tats were once associated with ‘promiscuity and trashiness’, the times have changed.
Toronto-based tattoo artist Carisa Fitoussi told Tayler the times have changed. There’s no longer a negative connotation with tramp stamps and Gen Z is embracing them.
Fitoussi said “People just don’t care anymore. In the last two, three years, a lot of people have been getting them. I’ve always loved them, regardless of the stereotype behind them. So l was always open to doing them. I think it’s so cute. I lean more toward that since I grew up seeing my mom dressed a certain way so I love everything Y2K.”
Tramp Stamps aren’t only about nostalgia for Gen Z
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Tattoo artist Carisa Fitoussi told Yahoo!‘s Tayler Adigum these lower back tattoos are about ‘feeling good’ and ‘liberation’.
She said “A lot of my clients that come and get s-xually liberating tattoos like that, they know people around them judge. But, it doesn’t matter. Because regardless of what you do, you’re gonna get judged. So if it’s something that makes you feel good, makes you feel more sexy, you might as well just get it.”
This is, without question, the healthiest attitude to have when it comes to tattoos. Getting tattoos for other people can often be a very poor choice. It’s a personal decision and you and you alone are stuck with that tattoo forever. If it makes you feel good then it was the right decision.
Fitoussi did predict that the current Gen Z cycle of Tramp Stamps being popular will be temporary. She said “tramp stamps are ‘in’ right now. But I bet you in like a year or two, it’s gonna go back down to like, people not really liking it, and then pick back up again.” But she reiterated that if makes you feel good “then that’s all that matters.”
It will be interesting to see how Gen X and Elder Millennials react to this trend. If there will suddenly be a bunch of middle-aged people flaunting their tramp stamps all over the sand from people who have been hiding them for years.