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Next Luxury • Tattoo Ideas • Wrist Tattoo Ideas and Designs for Every Style

Wrist Tattoo Ideas and Designs for Every Style

Wrist Tattoo Ideas and Designs for Every Style

  • by — Brian Cornwell
  • Published on August 29, 2015

Wrist tattoos have become a mainstream fashion staple in the modern era. Tattoo lovers of all kinds can benefit from the original personality that wrist ink provides. The wrist has been an underused canvas in the past, but this is finally starting to change with versatility and visibility becoming important characteristics in body art. Whether it’s a small tattoo of a flying bird, song lyrics you love, or something more personal, the wrist area is a viable spot for a cool tattoo idea.

More widespread acceptance means that you can pick more obvious areas for unique wrist tattoo. With the right tattoo, you can reveal endless details about yourself without even speaking. Furthermore, a striking ink job will forever grant a reliable icebreaker or crack the 50+ best tattoo ideas list.

Read on for a selection of brilliant tattoo designs you can use as inspiration for your first tattoo or next piece of body art.

1. Statuesque Tattoos 

Two tattooed forearms showing detailed portraits of ancient, bearded men
Hand tattooed with a detailed image of an elder's face
Hand tattoo featuring a detailed, dark-toned, 3D animal face with intricate shading
Wing tattoo extending from the wrist to the elbow
Forearm tattoo of an ancient bearded man with text above that reads "Generales Milagros"
Forearm tattoo of a realistic face with artistic flame-like elements around it

If you are interested in ink that is packed full of eye-catching artwork, then these portrait style tattoos might be a little more up your alley. With painstaking detail and a keen eye, it’s easy to say these wrist tattoos are ridiculously impressive.

From the detail in the piece itself, the depth created by shading, to the way an artist implements real lighting, this ink can easily be considered striking, to say least. It takes a lot of talent to turn flesh into a realistic, statuesque masterpiece. Speaking of turning skin into stone, these wrist tattoos pave the way for bold art with a masculine flair, there will be no more need to keep your sleeves straight down.

2. Women’s Wrist Tattoo Designs

Matching abstract tattoos on two forearms, featuring elegant swirls and loops
Source: @monnikenwerk via Instagram
Abstract colorful book tattoo on inner wrist
Source: @dkpasallan via Instagram
Tattoo of masked character skateboarding
Source: @scorpioztattz via Instagram
Wrist tattoo of a colorful crescent moon with a dog silhouette in the center
Source: @allexarrendajo via Instagram
Black ink tattoo of a stylized wolf face with symbolic elements on a forearm
Source: @evsmo8 via Instagram
Simple outline tattoo of a bunny on a person’s wrist
Source: @mr.jones.tattoo via Instagram

As the above examples depict brilliantly, women’s wrist tattoo design has evolved much in recent years with a flower tattoo or cute wrist tattoo often replaced by more bad ass tattoo idea. A colorful tattoo, symbolic film character, matching tattoo, or tiny wrist tattoo in simple black ink is just as likely to be deployed by a tattoo artist as a star tattoo, favorite song lyric or flower. There’s still plenty of opportunity for that cute tattoo ink, but these days for a woman the wrist area ink choice could be anything.

3. Simple Wrist Tattoos

Symbol wrist tattoo
Two forearms with geometric tattoos consisting of squares and diamonds
Tattoo of a tree with the text "I climbed the tree to see the world" on a forearm
Tattoo of a minimalist mountain range on a wrist
Wrist tattoo with the word "LOVE" written vertically in a unique block font
Geometric tattoo design on a wrist
Tattoo of a world map outline on a person's wrist
Person with a whale tattoo on wrist

Sometimes greater things come in smaller packages. If you are looking for something a little less flashy, then maybe these simple wrist tattoos will spark up the inspiration you have been needing. These simple tattoos are full of room for tweaking and making additions to the make the style something that fits you.

Whether you like your line work clean and neat, or if you want to air for something stronger and bolder, the possibilities for a unique wrist tattoo are endless. From a complex design, to phrasing that is meaningful, an insignia or small design of the coasts; your tattoos can go as far as you do. A simple design isn’t only a stylish statement but can make for a slick conceal if needed by a job or an interview.

4. Nature Inspired

Forearm tattoo of a large, detailed feather extending from wrist to elbow
Forearm tattoo of tall trees
Forearm tattoo of a forest transitioning into dots on a person's arm
Forearm tattoo of a tree and flying birds
Forearm tattoo of trees and mountains in grayscale

Forest lines are a style of tattoo that has been majorly popularized in recent years. How could it not? With crisp silhouettes that capture tree lines perfectly with what looks like little to no effort at all. Looking cool comes with ease with these black out pieces.

Adding a unique and personal flair to these wrist tattoos can be as simple as commemorating a favorite landscape or crafting a cool feather tattoo. Whether it’s from your backyard or from the great outdoors there are numerous ways to flare up and add meaning to this sick style. Why store there from a tree line to a skyline there’s no stopping the possible potential of an amazing tattoo.

See more about - 50 Tree Line Tattoo Design Ideas For Men – Timberline Ink

5. Realistic and 3D

Black and grey rose tattoo on a wrist
Black and grey rose tattoo on the inner forearm
Forearm tattoo of Jesus carrying a cross, with a Bible verse on the wrist
Wrist tattoo featuring a steampunk-inspired clock design with gears and an eye
Forearms with tattoos of realistic eyes enclosed in geometric shapes
Hand tattoo featuring a detailed, dark-toned, 3D animal face with intricate shading

So maybe realism isn’t your style, or you’re looking for something a little more complex than your average rose and anchor tattoo design. Cast away the mundane with something that edges on the more illustrative design. Maybe something a little less American Traditional and a little more Neo traditional is more your speed.

These tattoos can come in a variety of applications, leaning away from classic portraiture leaves so much more room for possibilities. If a unique wrist tattoo is something you have in mind than this line up might just be for you. From the snakes of Medusa to the freshest skull, or even something that breathes a little stranger is what you are seeking out. With this illustrative type of style nothing can hold you back from a tattoo you love.

6. Illustrative

Tattoo of a skull with green eye sockets on the back of a person's hand
Tattooed arm displaying a detailed skull, rose, and various other intricate designs
A tattoo artist working on a Medusa-themed forearm tattoo with snake heads
Black and grey tattoo of Anubis with scales and a mountain landscape on the forearm
Forearm with geometric tattoo featuring an eye and various shapes and symbols
Close-up of a forearm tattoo featuring waves and abstract designs in black ink

So maybe realism isn’t your style, or you’re looking for something a little more complex than your average rose and anchor tattoo design. Cast away the mundane with something that edges on the more illustrative design. Maybe something a little less American Traditional and a little more Neo traditional is more your speed . These tattoos can come in a variety of styles, leaning away from classic portraiture leaves so much more room for possibilities.

If a unique wrist tattoo is something you have in mind than this line up might just be for you. From the snakes of Medusa to the freshest skull, or even something that breathes a little stranger is what you are seeking out. With this illustrative type of style nothing can hold you back from a tattoo you love.

See more about - Top 93 Neo Traditional Tattoo Ideas

Wrist Tattoo FAQs

Are wrist tattoos a good idea?

With visible tattoo designs on the rise for tattoo lovers, the wrist tattoo remains a popular, sensible choice for those wishing versatility when inking a new piece. A wrist piece can be a tiny tattoo are minimalist tattoo but also stretch to large designs, and sleeve tattoo pieces. They can be easily covered or uncovered depending on the wearer’s needs, particularly inner wrist tattoo designs.

What are the most popular wrist tattoo design ideas?

The re-emergence of wrist area ink means there are many cool ideas on offer for those looking at bracelet tattoo, outer wrist or inner wrist tattoo designs. These include:

  • Flying bird tattoo
  • Flower bracelet tattoo
  • Infinity symbol tattoos
  • Feather wrist tattoo
  • Semicolon tattoo
  • Script and lettering tattoo
  • Butterfly tattoo
  • Song lyrics
Do wrist tattoos fade?

A simple wrist tattoo is often a popular first tattoo choice, and they’re known to hold up well over time, better than tattoos on the hand or across the tops of the fingers. A more illustrative tattoo idea such as a watercolor tattoo or single needle tiny tattoo done in delicate black and gray may need to be re-touched after a while.

Did you like the variety of wrist tattoo ideas on offer? Need to see more example? Click on the links below for more awesome small tattoo galleries:

  • Top 41 Infinity Tattoo Ideas
  • 112 Sexiest Butterfly Tattoo Designs
  • Top 57 Semicolon Tattoo Concepts
  • Simple Star Tattoos
  • Top 55 Geometric Tattoos
  • White Ink Tattoo Designs
  • Top 91 Anatomical Heart Tattoo Ideas
Brian Cornwell

Writer

Brian Cornwell founded Next Luxury in 2007 as a magazine for modern gentlemen.

Brian Cornwell founded Next Luxury in 2007 as a magazine for modern gentlemen.

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