Y2K fashion does it again! From low-rise jeans to velour jumpsuits, the early 2000s has a hold on today’s trends and the reemergence of styles doesn’t stop at clothes — lower back tattoos are back and better than ever.
This isn’t the first time this trend has come back in style. Last October, Gen Z brought the trend back to reclaim its power and give it a modern take. And now, a year later, the trend is in full swing once again. Maybe it’st spooky season or Gen Z being in its villain era, but something about lower back tattoos just makes sense — and I’m here for it.
Once sported by pop Y2K stars, such as Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears, lower back tattoos are simply iconic and truly anyone can rock them, including Kris Jenner. On a recent episode of The Kardashians, Jenner confirmed she still has her lower back tattoo that she got over a decade ago, and of course, as the momager she is, she has two of her children’s names in it: Kendall and Kylie.
Off the TV screens, the trend has been circulating on TikTok, with some users playing around with temporary tattoos and others fully committing to the lower back tattoo lifestyle. TikToker @okcallie, who has close to 1 million followers, recently posted her experience getting a lower back tattoo. The comments ate it up, saying they too have been influenced to jump on the iconic trend. Additionally, tattoo artists have even gone viral for their stunning lower back tattoo art.
Whether you want to hop on the elevated Y2K trend or channel your inner Britney, here are 14 lower back tattoo ideas.
- Zodiac signs
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Though Mercury retrograde is over, other planets will be in retrograde in October, so what’s better to distract yourself from the pain than getting a lower back tattoo of your zodiac sign? Astrology tattoos are always hit, mainly because they are simple and subtle. Whether you want to get your constellation, your sun, moon, and rising signs symbols, or even something to represent your zodiac sign, such as abstract faces for a Gemini, the lower back is the perfect spot to sport your next astrology tattoo.
- A bold animal
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The lower back is a chance for you to do something bold, and hot. Cheetahs and tigers are two animals that would look stunning on your lower back due to their shape and symbolism of strength. Miley Cyrus has never shied away from show-stopping style moments, and her lower back tattoo of a tiger and dragon is a prime example. Quite frankly, if Miley Cyrus has a tiger tattoo, then I want a tiger tattoo.
- Butterfly
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The quintessential Y2K lower back tattoo is butterflies, so it would only be right to pay homage to the era with a butterfly tattoo of your own. You can fully channel your inner ‘00s with a large butterfly surrounded by linework, or you can go the dainty route with small little ones. Either way, butterfly tattoos are both delicate and beautiful, and an integral part of tattoo culture.
- Minimalist fine line design
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Minimalists like tattoos too! If you don’t want to draw too much attention to your lower back, then minimalist line work is the way to go. Fine line tattoos have become increasingly popular due to their softness and simplicity. Also, if you have a low pain tolerance, the fine line style uses smaller needles so, according to some people, they hurt less. These are like the Hailey Bieber, capsule wardrobe of the tattoo world. There are many designs you can do with this style from phrases and dates to floral patterns and landscapes.
- Flames
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Flames are a tattoo staple. Not only are they a go-to design that anyone can rock, but they are also a filler design that can be paired with other symbols. You can display a heart or sun with flames on your lower back, or keep the flames by themselves. Flames are versatile and you can have some fun with your creativity when designing your back tattoo.
- Sun and a moon
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In the tattoo world, there are iconic pairings, such as yin and yang and the sun and moon. A sun and moon tattoo on your lower back is a beautiful design that can be either minimalistic or bold. It can also be used to symbolize a relationship in your life, whether that be your significant other or your bestie. To cover the span of your lower back, you can do an array of the moon phases, or keep it symmetrical with a sun and moon on either side.
- Landscape
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For my nature lovers, the lower back is the ideal spot for a landscape tattoo, since it’s an area to showcase wide designs. You can do a mountainscape or the beach that shows your love for the outdoors and travel. As for my art fanatics, elevate your landscape tattoo by adding Starry Night elements. Think of the lower back as your canvas and the tattoo is a chance to have your art on display.
- Symmetrical designs
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Symmetrical tattoo designs have become a stunning tattoo trend when TikToker Mei Pang went viral for her tattoos with perfect symmetry. Symmetrical designs are a way to get a lower back tattoo without having it span the whole length, and they are aesthetically pleasing. You can opt for a simple design or even split up a design you love into two halves.
- Wings
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Maybe it’s because Justin Bieber has a famous wings tattoo on his neck and I was a die-hard Belieber growing up, but I’m a huge fan of wing tattoos. Putting my 10-year-old fan girl to the side, wings are such beautiful, ethereal tattoos that would look amazing on your lower back. They can be either delicate or bold, and you can have some fun with the type of wings. Maybe you want angel wings, butterfly wings, or even bat wings so it can be spooky season all year long — the options are endless.
- Matching with your bestie
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Matching tattoos with your bestie will never go out of style. Nothing shows your love for another more than a matching lower back tattoo. The best part about this design is that it can be literally anything. You can go the minimalist route, the astrology route, or even the initials route if you’re feeling bold.
- Flowers or vines
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Flowers and vines are two tattoo designs that are effortlessly beautiful. There is so much versatility with these designs from the shape, to the pattern, and even to the symbolism. You can choose flowers that represent your birth month or the birth months of loved ones, or you can have a vine that represents strength. Flowers and vines perfectly frame your body to create a gorgeous design.
- Sick word art
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Since lower back tattoos are in a prominent spot, choose a design that represents you or something you love, which can be done through words. Words as tattoos are easy, but also send a message. Words, such as “divine” or “resilience” can represent who you are as a person while also being a cool design. Elevate the look by adding a pop of color such as red or pink.
- Dragonfly
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If you love butterfly tattoos, but want to do something more unique, then dragonflies are a stunning option. Dragonflies themselves represent change and self-realization, and getting a lower back tattoo of them can be the first step into your favorite era of yourself.
- Snake
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Whenever I see someone with a snake tattoo, I immediately think they are the coolest person ever. Something about a snake tattoo on your lower back just screams “it girl.” There are so many variations of snake tattoos to fit your style, and you can take it up a notch by having the snake wrapped around a favorite quote of yours.