Reviewed & updated: October 19, 2022 by Jamie Wilson BA
Over the years, choosing a tattoo has become something that everyone will probably at least try to do. Most old school classic sailor tattoos include pin-up girls, bottles of booze, the ‘Aloha’ monkey, and traditional Hawaiian themes. Vintage tattoos can take on a huge array of symbolic meaning, but each pays homage to the rich history of tattooing. So in this article we will show you 101 old school tattoo designs for men that you should have a look at to help you make your decision. Whether an arm tattoo, chest tattoo or neck tattoo. We will features various styles and ideas you can go by. Feel free to change and experiment. You can never be picky about what you put on your skin.
Old School Back Tattoo
The back is the biggest canvas on the body. The old school tattoo was very popular with sailor’s in its prime and where the style came to attention. The vintage tattoo’s crossed the sees and were seen in every place they docked. Making the classic vintage style of tattoo become what it is today.
Anchor With Ship Tattoo

Anchor with Ship Traditional Back Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Angel Traditional Back Tattoo

Angel Traditional Back Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Vintage Back Tattoo

Vintage Back Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Sailing Ship Back Tattoo

Sailing Ship Back Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Eagle Back Tattoo

Eagle Back Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Black Panther Traditional Back Tattoo

Black Panther Traditional Back Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
City SkylineBack Design
Vintage Tattoo Ideas

Vintage Tattoo Ideas
Credit: Pinterest
Flying Fish Back Tattoo

Flying Fish With Ship Traditional Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Eagle & Snake Traditional Tattoo

Eagle & Snake Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Eagle & Dragon Back Tattoo

Eagle & Dragon Back Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Nautical Theme Back Tattoo

Nautical Themed Back Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Stage Back Tattoo

On Stage Back Tattoo
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Full Back Old School Tattoo

Full Back Old School Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

Full Back Horse Tattoo
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Demons Skull Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Longhorn Back Tattoo

Longhorn Back Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Grim Reaper Traditional Back Tattoo

Grim Reaper Back Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Ship & Anchor Tattoo

Ship & Anchor Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Sailor Jerry Back Tattoo

Sailor Jerry Back Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Vintage Back Tattoo

Vintage Back Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

Panther & Cobra Vintage Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

Full Back Vintage Tattoo
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Traditional Eagle Tattoo

Traditional Eagle Back Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Vintage Design Full Back Tattoo

Vintage Design Tattoo
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Traditional Sailor Jerry Back Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

Traditional Sailor Jerry Back Tattoo
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Traditional Sailor Jerry Back Tattoo
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Traditional Sailor Jerry Back Tattoo
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Unique Back Tattoo
Credit: Pinteredt

Unique Back Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

Old School Chest Tattoo
A man’s chest is a colossal canvas, and when inked it can be prominent symbol of pride. Though it may not be the easiest place to get a tattoo due to many prominent bones it makes for a great place to store any symbol.
Old School Tiger Tattoo

Tiger & Snake Chest Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Traditional Chest Tattoo

Distinct Male Vintage Chest Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Classic Sailor Jerry Chest Tattoo

Classic Sailor Jerry Chest Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Flying Eagle Chest Tattoo

Flying Eagle
Credit: Pinterest
Gorilla Head Chest Tattoo

Gorilla Head Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Hammerhead Shark Classic Chest Tattoo

Hammerhead Shark Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Sailor Jerry Chest Tattoo

Sailor Jerry UK Chest Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

mens vintage chest tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Eagle & Snake Chest Tattoo

Eagle & Snake Classic Chest Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Cool Vintage Chest Tattoo

Cool Vintage Chest Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

Vintage Chest Tattoo
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Eagle Chest Tattoo
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2 Birds Chest Tattoo
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Sailor Jerry Chest Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Old School Butterfly Chest Tattoo

Sailor Jerry Butterfly Chest Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Sailor Jerry Old School Chest Tattoo Ideas

Sailor Jerry Chest Tattoo
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Sailor Jerry Chest Tattoo
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Sailor Jerry Full Chest Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

Sailor Jerry Full Chest Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

Sailor Jerry Full Chest Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

Sailor Jerry Full Chest Tattoo
credit: Pinterest

Traditional Full Body Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

Old School Arm Tattoo
The arm tattoo or the arm full and half sleeve have become the preferred placement for people getting tattoos in recent years. The trend hasn’t stopped an an arm tattoo or sleeve could be the addition you need.
Traditional Eagle Arm Tattoo

Traditional Eagle Arm Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Vintage Lion Tattoo

Vintage Lion Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Old School Arm Tattoo Ideas

Vintage Arm Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

Vintage Arm Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

Vintage Arm Tattoo
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Vintage Arm Tattoo
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Unique Vintage Skull Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Grim Reaper Tattoo

Vintage Grim Reaper
Credit: Pinterest
Old School Gun Tattoo

vintage gun tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Girl & Surf Board Tattoo

Girl with Surfboard Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Vintage Arm Tattoo Designs

Vintage Arm Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

Vintage Male Sleeve Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

Vintage Male Sleeve Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

Hoola Girl tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Pin Up Girl Arm Tattoo

Pin Up Girl Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Old School Arm Tattoo

Old School Arm Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

Sailor Jerry Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

Sailor Jerry Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

Sailor Jerry Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

Sailor Jerry Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Sailor Jerry Arm Tattoo Ideas

Old School Arm Tattoo
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Old School Arm Tattoo
Credit: Pinterst

Sailor Jerry Eagle Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

Sailor Jerry Bird Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

Sailor Jerry Anchor Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Old School Sleeve Tattoo

Mens Old School Sleeve Tattoo
Credit: Pinters
Snakehead & Dagger Old School Tattoo

Snakehead & Dagger Old School Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Anchor Sailor Jerry Tattoo

Anchor Sailor Jerry Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Knife Sailor Jerry Arm Tattoo

Knife Sailor Jerry Arm Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Skull Candle Tattoo

Skull Candle Traditional Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Tombstone Tattoo

Tombstone tattoo
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Sailor Jerry Arm Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest
Unique Sailor Jerry Arm Tattoo Ideas

Sailor Jerry Arm Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

Mens Flower Arm Designs
Credit: Pinterest

Vintage Tattoo On Arm
Credit: Pinterest

Vintage Tattoo On Arm
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Vintage Tattoo On Arm
Credit: Pinterest

Handshake Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

Cool Tattoo Old School
Credit: Pinterest

Cool Tattoo Old School
Credit: Pinterest
Traditional Gun Arm Tattoo

Traditional Gun Arm Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

Skull Arm Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

Scorpion Tattoo
Credit: Pinterest

Summary – Top 5 Old School Tattoo Designs
So in this article we have shown you 101 old school tattoo designs for men that you should have a look at. Whether an arm tattoo, chest tattoo or neck tattoo. Whether you are planning to book your tattoo appointment soon or just getting ideas this list of 101 tattoos will help you choose.
- City Skyline Back Design
- Skull Smoking Tattoo
- Skull Candle Arm Tattoo
- Pin Up Girl Tattoo
- Sailor Jerry Old School Chest Tattoo
Feature image from Pinterest