If your New Year’s resolution is to experiment with your style in 2026, perhaps these tattoo styles might inspire your next creative outlet. Like jewelry, nail polish, makeup, and piercings, tattoos can be another way to dress up your look.

It may seem overwhelming figuring out where to start. There are so many options these days. Even when you have a concept in mind, whether it be a flower tattoo, a fandom homage, or something sentimental, you still have to consider a couple of things. Where will you place it? What line thickness do you like? What colors will you use? The possibilities seem endless, because they kind of are.

But, there are some trends in tattoos lately. “As we look ahead to 2026, we’re seeing a clear shift toward tattoos as a form of personal storytelling rather than permanence,” INKED by Dani Founder Dani Egna tells Teen Vogue. “Younger audiences are gravitating toward body art that’s low pressure and highly personal: fine-line designs, tiny motifs, and placements like wrists, ankles, collarbones, and hands that feel visible but not overwhelming.” So, it’s the perfect time to utilize tattoos to further your self-expression.

To help you find the right fit for you, we’ve rounded up a list of popular tattoo styles, themes, and trends these days, according to experts. With these ideas in mind, customize your piece to your style because everyone is different! Below, find some inspiration for your first tattoo in 2026.

Doodle Tattoos

“Doodle-style tattoos resonate strongly with Gen Z because they feel spontaneous, imperfect, and emotional — inspired by notebook sketches, inside jokes, handwritten notes, and symbols that feel intimate rather than polished,” Egna says. You can also get something written or drawn by a loved one tattooed to make it even more sentimental.

Minimalist Tattoos

Marc Piasecki