Gone are the days when having a tattoo is linked to a long list of prejudices and brutal remarks. Today, people are more welcoming to people with tattoos. Inked skin is now viewed as a form of art and expression, not a subjective idea of a person’s dark past. 

Even some careers with a more laidback culture don’t care whether you’re covered in tattoos or not, as long as you’re doing well in the workplace. 

However, we cannot deny that there are professional careers that still won’t allow you to show off your ink. These include jobs in the healthcare industry, law firms, airlines (as an air hostess) and hotels, healthcare, military and law enforcement, financial institutions, schools, and government. Some even require piercings to be removed.  

Luckily, you can keep both your tattoos and your dream job. You just need to be creative in covering them. 

1. Wear long sleeves to cover your “sleeves”

Let’s start with the most obvious and work-appropriate way to cover up: sleeves. Nobody will notice that you have tattoos on your limbs if you pay attention to the length of your clothing. If you have tattoos on the upper arm or torso, you can easily cover them up with long sleeves. You can even wear a blazer or jacket to fully cover them while elevating your style.

Another foolproof trick is to level up your fashion game. Investing in high-quality menswear, for instance, instantly sends the notion that you’re taking your job seriously. 

2. Go for high-waist jeans

The same goes for tattoos on your lower back and legs. If you have lower back tattoos, we suggest investing in high-waist pants to make sure you’re fully concealing them even if you move a lot. 

3. Wear a nice wristwatch and arm accessories

Do you have minimalist tattoos on your wrist? No need to ditch comfort with longer sleeves — see if you can conceal them with wristwatches with thicker straps and work-appropriate armbands. 

4. Hide tattoos with your hair 

Do you have a tattoo on your nape? Women with long hair can easily get away with this since they’re easy to hide. Just grow your hair to a length that’s enough to conceal your ink and wear your hair down — and you’re done! 

If you’re a guy, see if you can grow your hair to a length where it can easily conceal the tattoo. If this isn’t an option, check out the next tip on our list. 

5. Rock scarves and turtlenecks

Do you have neck tattoos? The good news is you can successfully cover them up while taking your work attire to the next level. 

Firstly, see if you can rock turtlenecks. They should be a staple in your wardrobe. They’re minimalist, versatile, and most importantly, work-appropriate. You can even take them up a notch with an additional layer of blazer or jacket. 

You can mix up your OOTDs with a scarf. Depending on the weather and temperature, you may opt for a heavier or a more lightweight scarf to spruce up your look. 

6. Find sleeve cover-ups that match your skin tone

If you have a tattoo sleeve and you don’t want to wear long-sleeved clothing all the time, see if skin-toned cover-up sleeves work for you. They come in a variety of colors, including skin tones. 

If you have a tattoo sleeve, but don’t want to wear long sleeves all the time, you might want to invest in cover-up tattoo sleeves. Cover-up tattoo sleeves are made of flexible, lightweight fabric and come in a variety of colors (including most skin tones). Just keep in mind that they’re not the most professional way to go. 

7. Put on stockings and tights

If it’s required to wear a cocktail dress or a business professional pencil skirt, see if you can nail a look with tights or stockings. Thicker, skin-toned stockings may suffice but if they’re still too opaque, you can never go wrong with black tights. 

8. Cover ankle tattoos with socks and high-cut boots 

Ankle tattoos are generally easy to hide with pants. If your pair of jeans tends to ride up, exposing your tattoos, you might want to opt for socks and high-cut footwear. For a more professional setting, men can find a variety of dress shoes that go past the ankle. Women, on the other hand, may invest in a good pair of ankle boots. 

9. Conceal them with full-coverage makeup

If your tattoo is located in a hard to conceal spot, like your fingers, the back of your hand, and face, you might need to use makeup to cover it up. Invest in a high-quality full-coverage foundation and concealer. These will help you keep even the darkest colors from showing through.

It takes a lot of time and patience, yet it’s the only way… unless your workplace lets you wear gloves. 

Take note that new ink should never be covered with makeup. You must wait until your skin is fully healed or this can cause an infection. 

Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is a savvy writer for Northern Menswear, an online streetwear fashion website for men, delivering clothing and footwear products from top UK brands. She loves sharing tips about fashion and lifestyle for trendy gents.