Looking for waist tattoo ideas for women with a little something extra? Think trailing flowers, tiny butterflies or a simple line of script.
These designs range from small hip details to larger pieces that stretch along the side, with two drawings to bring to your tattoo artist.
You can keep it simple or go all out with color. I especially love the leafy designs that curve around the waist.
Start with your favorite detail, then talk through the size and placement with your artist.
Waist Tattoos Worth Saving
a long floral stem
We’re starting off strong with this gorgeous floral tattoo. I love the open petals and long leaves near the hip.
The thin stem stretches up the side with little buds near the top.
If you want a similar look, ask your artist about a curved stem with plenty of space around the main flower.
flowing snake and flowers
How pretty is this snake drawing? The wide loops switch between pale shading and bold black edges, with little flowers tucked along the sides.
This is a design reference rather than a tattoo shown on skin. Bring it to your artist if you like the idea of a long, winding piece along your waist.
tiny butterflies and stars
I am obsessed with these little butterflies. The three outlined shapes sit beside the belly button, with tiny dots and stars scattered between them.
Save this one if you want something small without sticking to a single symbol.
a sweeping line of script
Prefer lettering without any extra decoration? A single line of cursive runs from the hip down the outer thigh.
The tall loops and slanted letters are so pretty on their own.
Choose words that matter to you, then ask to see how the lettering follows your preferred placement.
a full floral cluster
This floral tattoo may just be one of my favorites here. I love the large layered bloom surrounded by little flowers and shaded leaves.
There’s more width to this design than the single stem above. Keep that clustered arrangement if you want your flowers to spread across one side of your stomach.
butterfly and pointed flourishes
If you love lots of little details, then this one is for you. There’s a butterfly, curling black flourishes and fine hanging lines with pointed ornaments.
My favorite part is the mix of delicate wing details and sharp, sweeping ends. I’d keep the black-only palette for a similar design.
a row of moon phases
Don’t want a long vine running up your side? No problem!
Try a horizontal row of moon phases instead. I love the shaded full moon in the middle and the slim crescents at the ends.
black dragon with red accents
This dragon is such a striking choice. The coiled body stretches from the lower stomach across the hip, with rows of outlined scales and red wisps winding around it.
If you’re drawn to a larger piece, save this for the way it continues beyond the waist. Those red accents are worth discussing with your artist too.
lotus and hanging ornaments
I love this lotus with its shaded petals and long curls on either side. The dotted swags and little hanging shapes make it look like a piece of jewelry across the lower back.
Ask about a centered placement if you want the same matching details on both sides.
scattered little stars
Don’t want to go overboard with a dense design? These scattered stars are a lovely option.
Tiny dots and larger pointed sparkles run down the side with lots of bare skin between them.
small red script
How cute is this little red tattoo? The words “love yours” sit just above the jeans in loose cursive.
There aren’t any extra symbols around the lettering, which is exactly what I like about it.
Read also: 17+ Edgy Bat Tattoo Ideas That Turn Heads
a curved fern
If you love botanical tattoos but don’t want flowers, save this fern. The fine little leaflets follow a curved stem just above the waistband.
I’d leave this one without extra decoration. There’s already so much pretty detail in the branch itself.
Read also: 20 Engagement Party Invitations and Design Ideas to Inspire Yours
half butterfly half flower
This is such a pretty twist on a butterfly tattoo. One side has dark-edged wings while the other opens into a large flower.
Shaded leaves and dotted trails stretch above and below it.
Keep the long leafy curves if you want to take this idea from the hip up along your side.
ornamental lower back chains
There’s so much to love in this jewelry-inspired design. Looped chains, little drops and leafy details stretch across the lower back toward both hips, with matching ornaments on either side.
I especially love the open sun-like shape in the middle. The longer ornament hanging beneath it is such a pretty finishing detail.
fine vines and butterflies
Here’s another floral design, but this one keeps the lines much lighter. Butterflies sit along branching stems with an open flower and tiny stars tucked between the leaves.
The little curls near the bottom are my favorite part. Ask about keeping those airy spaces if you like this less crowded look.
a small rolling wave
Love an ocean-inspired tattoo without a whole beach scene? This small wave is such a pretty option.
The shaded crest sits between thin curling lines that stretch across the outer hip.
red blossoms and black butterflies
The red and black pairing is so cute in this tattoo. A flowering branch sweeps diagonally across the lower stomach while two black butterflies sit beside it.
Tiny red stars fill some of the gaps. Keep those little accents if you want the color to carry beyond the flowers.
two fish and flowing flowers
I am obsessed with the flowing fins in this drawing. The two fish face toward each other, with red-outlined flowers above and black-outlined blooms below.
This is another drawing rather than a placement photo. Ask your artist how they’d arrange the long design along your side before settling on its size.
pink butterfly and blossoms
If you want to bring color into a floral tattoo, this one is gorgeous. The pink butterfly has dark wing borders dotted with pale spots, with pink flowers running above and below it.
I love how the little buds continue toward the hip. They’re worth keeping if you want the ends of your design to stay narrow.
a single shaded rose
Last but definitely not least, we have this pretty single rose. The shaded petals, pointed leaves and long stem sit diagonally across the hip.
If you’d rather choose one flower than a whole bouquet, this is a lovely reference to save.