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Top 73 Tattoo Lettering Ideas [2021 Inspiration Guide]

Top 73 Tattoo Lettering Ideas [2021 Inspiration Guide]

  • Next Luxury / Men's Style And Fashion
  • by — Brian Cornwell

The truth is, all words spoken come with a cost. Mankind’s great power, the gift of speech, can inspire just as easily as it can destroy.

When it comes to the thought of tattoos, the concept is no different.

All designs can invoke a recreation or message without so much as needing to communicate anything vocally at all. The display of art work speaks for itself; telling a story that pokes at our own sense of curiosity.

However, the traditional form of lettering still applies to lists of the 50+ best tattoo ideas, even with realistic designs that can paint a thousand words in a single picture. From names to quotes, every character you’ll find inscribed within these top 75 best lettering tattoo designs comes together to form some seriously cool body art.

Sure, readability can be a bit weak at times with all the creative fonts, scripts and decorative touches, however, the meaning behind these words remains as strong as it is when spoken. With that said, I’m going to show you how to bring your words to life below.

See more about - The Top 135 Best Tattoo Ideas for Men

Tattoo Lettering Ideas

Beautiful Lettering Tattoo Male Neck

Not a huge fan of the first word’s unclear black font but the ‘blue’ is etched brilliantly. The cursive style is clear and crisp. The internal letter fill is the standout, with the artist adopting a chunky dot work hybrid in transition from fat black line work for each letter.

Believe Lettering Tattoo Male Chest

This script mashes cursive with an italicized B . It’s not dissimilar to the beginning of a Once Upon a Time story. The filling gray is well applied, although the B could use some white ink highlights to make it pop more from the rest of the tattoo font.

Best Lettering Tattoo Designs For Mens Forearms

Slick tattoo font. The line work is sharp, fine needlework in black for the major letter.  From there it shifts to a clean cursive using mostly black, with just a hint of gray near the top of each letter. Utilizing negative space as an alt fill color demonstrates excellent technique and helps the piece show nicely.

Bloody Black Lettering Tattoo Male Chest Inspiration

This full chest tattoo features a killer font but is too hard to decipher. In a lot of examples it’s just as important to be able to read the script cleanly as it is for the script to look epic – as it does here. The tattooist shows great technique in creating a lively 3D font tattoo that almost leaps from the subject’s skin, and it’s well placed curving along the chest rather than laying flat.

Continous Cursive Lettering Tattoo Male Chest Designs

A tightly packed script tattoo the subject is either remembering the loss of someone close or he supports Liverpool F.C. Pretty certain there’s more futbol ink on this guy should the latter is the case. This is a nicely done, cleanly delivered chest tattoo that uses flow well. The fact that the longer you look at the piece the easier it becomes to read is also advantageous.

Decorative Style Lettering Tattoo Mens Rib Cage Side Ideas

Another hard to read font that’s bold, black, and chunky – the side makes a good spot for larger writing and hurt less than getting tagged across the ribs. The fat black script is a lot harder to read than the upper font, however the patterning and solidity of the writing looks better balanced.

Die Trying Black Tattoo Male Thighs

This is a very cool minimalist tattoo font. Like the use of street art style block lettering to convey the die trying message. It’s the type of cool art you can border up with negative space or put inside a badge and add to easily.

Fabulous Lettering Tattoo Male Forearms

Okay, so this font tattoo is the rare heavy duty bible bookmark. When you read the following passage you get to understand why: “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow–not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” It’s a bible passage that works for both the gentle and the hardcore, with this hardcore subject getting seriously dark script tattoo for his Romans 8:38 reference point.

Fantastic Grey And Black Lettering Tattoo Mens Forearms

 “Take and make” is often used in basketball regarding shot attempts, but now extends to many areas where elements of risk, reward, and bravery are involved. This tattoo uses slightly different fonts delivered with gray scale shading, a minimal banner, then negative space to create an interesting visual image.

Flowing Lettering Tattoo Mens Torso

This large size rolling vertical cursive looks epic. The all black line and fill gives it a sense of solidity that sometimes can’t be created in font tattoos for men, as there’s often not a lot of room to work with. Like the flow of each capitalized letter, they’re very strong without needing to be delivered in a different font to the other letters.

Ghostly Script Lettering Tattoo Male Chest

Spent too long trying to read this but it’s quality 3D black line work. This chest piece offers great cursive that can fit in a more compact, well defined space. The artist’s delivery here is exceptional, down to the neg space alt highlights and sharpie like flourishing curls.

Gigantic Lettering Tattoo Males Torso

This is next level font tattoo. Forgive but don’t forget writ large in ink on skin. If the subject does forget, it’s his own fault because you can;t miss this prompt. The cursive forgive is the standout writing in this piece. The effortless curve and flow, even on a massive scale looks brilliant. The image doesn’t show it well, however the fat black script of forget also looks clean and sweet, and would play nicely against the rest when all is shown. Only quibble would be to simplify the ‘but don’t’ part, it’s a bit too overdone with fancy block letters when Times New Roman could work just as well.

Gorgeous Lettering Tattoo Male Forearms

This is an almost flawless example of Chicano style font tattoos for men. The flowing cursive is simple and easy to read and excels in the detail of negative space alt fill and internal gray scale shading for the letters themselves. The piping/underlines are also beautifully etched and create a useful border for any future forearm art.

Great Lettering Tattoo Male Chest

Guy Ankle Black Lettering Tattoo

Guys Arms Amazing Lettering Tattoo

Guys Forearms Black And White Lettering Tattoo

Guys Forearms Bottle And Lettering Tattoo

Guys Forearms Lettering Tattoo

Guys Forearms Marvellous Lettering Tattoo

Guys Hand Dark Black Lettering Tattoo

Guys Hands Awesome Lettering Tattoo

Guys Hand Traditional Lettering Tattoo

Guys Head Celtic Lettering Tattoo

Guys Head Lettering Tattoo

Guy With Pitch Black Lettering Tattoo Forearms

Guy With Sweet Dreams Lettering Tattoo On Arms

Haunting Black Lettering Tattoo Mens Back

Haunting Lettering Tattoo Mens Back

Huge Lettering Tattoo Male Back

Innovative Lettering Tattoo Male Chest

Japanese Style Lettering Tatoo Mens Forearms

Life Quote Lettering Tattoo Guys Chest

Live Upto Your Glory Lettering Tattoo Male Chest

Love Friday Lettering Tattoo Male Back

Lovely Lettering Tattoo Male Torso

Male Ankles Poised Lettering Tattoo

Male Back Single Lettering Tattoo

Male Chest Long Celtic Lettering Tattoo

Male Forearms Celtic Lettering Tattoo

Male Hands Pretty Lettering Tattoo

Male Neck No Pain Lettering Tattoo

Males Torso Arabic Styled Lettering Tattoo

Male Torso Family Lettering Tattoo

Male With Impressive Lettering Tattoo Male Forearms

Man With Dark Lettering Tattoo On Shoulder

Mens Back Curly Lettering Tattoo

Mens Back Perfect Lettering Tattoo

Mens Chest Gorgeous Lettering Tattoo

Mens Chest Horror Lettering Tattoo

Mens Feet Badass Lettering Tattoo

Mens Forearms Bold Black Lettering Tattoo

Mens Forearms Decorative Black Lettering Tattoo

Mens Full Legs Huge Lettering Tattoo

Mens Neck Lettering Tattoo

Mens Stylised A Lettering Tattoo

Mens Torso Black Lettering Tattoo

Mens Torso Cursive Lettering Tattoo

Mettalic Lettering Tattoo Male Forearms

Neat Lettering Tattoo Mens Torso

Oriental Lettering Tattoo Mens Forearms

Pitch Black Lettering Tattoo Mens Back

Stylish Fonted Lettering Tattoo Mens Forearms

Stylish Lettering Tattoo Male Forearms

Stylish Lettering Tattoo Mens Forearms

Suave Lettering Tattoo Designs On Male Chest

Superb Lettering Tattoo Ideas Male Forearms

Tiny Black Lettering Tattoo For Males

Tiny Lettering Tattoo Mens Chest

Traditional Lettering Tattoo Male Chest

Tribal Lettering Tattoo Guys Full Sleeves

Unique Dark Lettering Tattoo Male Chest

Violent Lettering Tattoo Male Torso

Wisdom Lettering Tattoo Male Chest

Wonderful Lettering Tattoo Mens Forearms

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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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The Best 14 Leather Jackets for Men in 2021
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The Best 14 Leather Jackets for Men in 2021

Premium Pick

Saint Laurent Leather Biker Jacket

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Best Choice

Aaron Brown Leather Bomber

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Best Value

Reiss  Keith Leather Cafe Racer Jacket

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  • Next Luxury / Men's Style And Fashion — by Rachel Cribby
  • In Partnership with The Jacket Maker

With the winter months (hopefully) dwindling down, it’s time to start planning ahead to a time where we can wear thinner jackets and fewer layers. While it may be tempting to quickly shed your parka and grab for whatever piece of outerwear is nearby, don’t reach for last year’s wardrobe item just yet. Isn’t it time you try something new, like, say, a leather jacket? 

Though it may seem all leather jackets are similar, there are actually many different designs and styles that work for different body types and tastes. In this article, we will take a look at the hottest leather jacket trends that have hit the market this season. 

Best Buy

1. Aaron Brown Leather Bomber

Aaron Brown Leather Bomber Jacket

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The Aaron Brown Leather Jacket from The Jacket Maker is an excellent choice for any guy looking for that traditional bomber look. This awesome jacket features a slim cut and ribbed cuffs and waist. It’s made with incredibly tough, yet soft, goatskin leather, making it a great choice for guys that aren’t used to wearing leather jackets.

One of the best things about the Aaron is that it shirks the classic pouch pockets on the lower half of the jacket, opting for two buttoned patch pockets on the chest instead. This design gives it a more streamlined look than most bombers, without taking away from any of the authenticity.

 

2. Saint Laurent Leather Biker Jacket

Saint-Laurent-Leather-Biker-Jacket

 

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There is a reason why leather jackets and bikers are usually associated with one another. Historically, many motorcycle riders have seen a leather jacket as a stylish way to protect themselves, not only from the elements but also from the possibility of a crash. While this may seem hard to believe – it’s not like leather comes with a large amount of padding, after all – leather has actually been shown to offer more protection than your average vinyl jacket or equivalent.

Maybe you’re not hopping on a motorcycle anytime soon, but you can still treat yourself to this biker-inspired Saint Laurent leather jacket. With a price tag surpassing $5,000, it’s certainly our premium pick on this list, but if you’re looking for the leather jacket of a lifetime, you have it right here. This pick is sure to come with the “for life” quality Saint Laurent is particularly known for. 

 

3. Reiss  Keith Leather Cafe Racer Jacket

Reiss-Keith-Leather-Cafe-Racer-Jacket

 

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Reiss is a British fashion retailer that’s been around since the 1970s. For the first 30 years of its brand history, it focused solely on men’s fashion before eventually expanding to carry items for women as well. However, the fact high-quality items for men are at the heart of this brand is very apparent through their simple wardrobe staples such as the Keith leather cafe racer jacket.

This Reiss jacket comes at a considerably lower price point than its counterparts, which makes it a pick that packs a lot of value. It’s made from super-soft leather and features a full lining. It’s the perfect choice for anybody who prefers a slim-fit jacket. 

 

4. Lavendard Brown Leather Bike Jacket

Lavendard Brown Leather Biker Jacket

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The Jacket Maker has something for everyone, including guys that are a bit intimidated by purchasing their first leather jacket. Not only is the Lavendard incredibly affordable, but it also has a really approachable look despite its biker moniker. With open hem cuffs and a tailored fit, it looks great with badass-inspired outfits as well as everyday wear.

The Lavendard is made of real cowhide, which means it will take on a great patina over time. But it might be a bit stiff when you first get it. The more you wear it, the faster it’ll form to your body, break-in, and soften up. The fact that it goes with so many outfits will help speed up that process.

 

5. Ksubi Capital Leather Jacket

Ksubi-Capital-Leather-Jacket

 

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The Capital Leather Jacket from Ksubi comes in 100% authentic leather and is designed to have a biker fit. It’s heavy-duty with a protective interior quilted lining. It also features retro details such as antique zippers.

Kusbi is an Australian fashion label that’s existed since the 1990s. While the brand was originally focused on high-end denim, they’ve expanded their offerings over time to include other textiles such as leather. Items from Ksubi’s collections have been shown at such high-profile events as New York Fashion Week and London Fashion Week, and the company operates a flagship store in New York’s SOHO neighborhood.

 

 

6. Acne Studios Off-Centred Zipper Biker Jacket

Acne-Studios-Off-Centred-Zipper-Biker-Jacket

 

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Swedish fashion powerhouse Acne Studios is well-known for their basic wardrobe pieces, so it makes sense that they would have the classic leather jacket look on lock. We love the way this off-centered jacket packs a punch of personality with its multiple buckles and zippers, but we love even more the way that it does not compromise softness or comfort at the expense of appearance.

This jacket comes with a high-end price tag, but it has the high-end materials to match. It is made of 100% genuine lambskin and comes with an interior lining of 100% viscose. Its unique off-center zip takes its inspiration from street style. 

 

7. Airin G-1 Black and White Leather Jacket

Airin G-1 Black & White Leather Bomber Jacket

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There’s only one way to improve upon a traditional bomber: Add shearling fabric. The Jacket Maker’s Airin G-1 Bomber will have ready to strap into the cockpit, ready to fly over Europe on a midnight air-raid. It has a thick polyester-lined collar as well as ribbed cuffs and waist for a nice, snug fit that keeps the wind at bay.

The Airin is made with real sheepskin, so it’s soft but super durable, making it a great choice for almost any type of casual wear. The dual front pouch pockets are great for a phone and a pair of gloves, so if you’re wearing it on a motorcycle, you’ll have the storage you need.

 

8. Saturdays NYC Leather Harrington Jacket

Saturdays-NYC-Leather-Harrington-Jacket

 

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If you’re unfamiliar with the brand Saturdays NYC, prepare to fall in love. As a laidback lifestyle brand, Saturdays NYC infuses its love for all things surfer culture in all of its fashion offerings. While primarily known for their loungewear, such as sweats and pullover sweaters, they also happen to make one of the best leather jackets on the market right now. 

The leather Harrington jacket features a smooth design and has deep pockets for your convenience. It is made of 100% lambskin leather and features a lining made of polyester. Staying true to its brand’s carefree nature, this jacket features a more relaxed fit than many classic leather jackets.

 

9. Berluti Piped Venezia Leather Jacket

Berluti-Piped-Venezia-Leather-Jacket

 

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Unlike the other options we’ve included so far, Berluti is known less for being a fashion brand and more for being a leather maker. Since its inception in the late 19th century, the Paris-based manufacturer has been producing fine leather clothing items and accessories, from belts to bags to jackets.

Berluti’s piped Venezia leather jacket is the apex of luxury leather fashion. Made from a distinctive brown shade, this jacket line has been around since the 1980s – and it’s a style that certainly stands the test of time.

This jacket is made from 100% authentic patinated calfskin leather and features shoulder patches and a buttoned collar. For optimal breathability, the jacket even features ventilation eyelets.

 

10. Dean Black Leather Biker Jacket

Dean Black Leather Biker Jacket

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Let’s be honest.. A traditional racing-style biker jacket is about as cool as it gets. With the high band-style collar and heavy-duty zippers on the front of The Jacket Maker’s Dean Leather Biker Jacket, you’re sure to get that badass look.

The Dean is made with 100% real cowhide leather, so it might be a little stiff at first, but it will break in and patina like none other. The Dean features three zippered pockets on the front as well as zippered cuffs, providing that authentic racing jacket-look without killing your bank account.

 

11. Kingsman Burnished Leather Jacket

Kingsman-Burnished-Leather-Jacket

 

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Kingsman is a line of high-quality clothing pieces that exists as a collaboration between Mr. Matthew Vaughn, director of the film The King’s Man, and international online fashion retailer MR PORTER. The line features items that are inspired by classic military style and timeless sensibilities.

The burnished leather jacket from the Kingsman line is unique for its length as well as its appearance. It draws direct inspiration from an aviator jacket worn on-screen in The King’s Man, a period piece that takes place in the 1940s. The jacket is made out of sturdy cow leather and buttons made of buffalo horns. It also features two linings – one made of cotton, and one made of viscose. 

 

12. AllSaints Milo Leather Biker Jacket

AllSaints-Milo-Leather-Biker-Jacket

 

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AllSaints is a British fashion brand from the United Kingdom. Since its founding in the 1990s, it has grown to an international presence that consists of more than 200 retail stores across Europe, North America, and Asia. The brand is mostly focused on fashion for women and men, though it also sells footwear and other accessories. It has primarily seen its popularity grow thanks to its popularity among a celebrity clientele.

AllSaints makes a number of leather jackets, but the Milo biker jacket is definitely one to write home about. This is a jacket that brings out the very best of two very different worlds – including a soft composition and sharp edges – since it is made of tender lamb leather and decorated to the nines with perfectly-placed zippers and buckles. It also has a distinctive slim fit.

 

13. Golden Bear Sherpa Jacket

Golden-Bear-Sherpa-Jacket

 

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San Francisco brand Golden Bear may have its roots in ship workers in the San Francisco Bay since the 1920s, but it’s evolved today to combine both utilitarianism and high-end style. Although not as recognized outside of its native northern California, to know the stylish jackets of Golden Bear is to love them.

The sherpa jacket, in particular, is exquisite. Like any Golden Bear clothing piece, it’s designed to be worn for life, and fortunately, it comes with a style that will be sure to stay in fashion for decades to come, with brown distressed leather and a notable shearling collar that can be detached. 

 

14. Tom Ford Zip-up Leather Jacket

Tom-Ford-Zip-up-Leather-Jacket

 

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Tom Ford is well-known for their high-end scents and formal clothing, but they have a strong foot in the casual jacket sphere as well. Not that this zip-up leather jacket is something you would wear to a casual house party. Its sleek edges and formal design make it more than suitable for a fancy professional event or night out on the town.

True to its brand’s roots, no attention to detail was spared in the creation of this particular wardrobe piece. Its straightforward design features 100% authentic leather and a cotton and polyamide lining. It is truly meant to last for life. Made in Italy, this jacket has shallow pockets in the front and a zipper down the center. 

 

RELATED: The 10 best men's scarves on the market

Leather Jacket FAQs

What are the main styles of leather jackets?

While there are many different unique leather jacket configurations out there, there are four classic syles you should be most aware of. In no particular order, they are the leather bomber jacket (also called aviator jacket), the leather racer jacket (sometimes called moto), the trenchcoat, and the fencer. While bomber jackets and racer jackets tend to be more relaxed, the trenchcoat and the fencer are more dramatic.

How do I care for my leather jacket?

If you care for your leather jacket correctly you should have a wardrobe piece that’ll last you a lifetime. Most leather jackets cannot be washed at home and must only be handled professionally. The first step to taking proper care of your jacket is to adhere to this rule.

You should also keep your leather jacket dry as often as possible and keep it away from extreme heat or cold air. If you are not going to be wearing your leather jacket for a period of time, such as during a warm season, then you’ll want to be sure that you are hanging it up correctly – this means out of direct sunlight and in a properly-ventilated area.

How much should I pay for a leather jacket?

Determining how much to pay for a leather jacket is a very personal matter. For an authentic leather jacket, you will probably be paying, at a baseline, $500. However, this price can easily skyrocket from here, depending on the jacket’s materials and manufacturing process.

Some leather jackets can cost as much as $10,000! There is no right or wrong number – it’s instead about the brands you like and the style that you envision for yourself.

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Rachel Cribby

Rachel Cribby is a writer, editor, and transcriptionist from Canada. When not writing or reading, Rachel enjoys hanging out with her cats and drinking tea.

Rachel Cribby is a writer, editor, and transcriptionist from Canada. When not writing or reading, Rachel enjoys hanging out with her cats and drinking tea.

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