The juxtaposition of their classic-style tattoos with proper, vintage hairstyles and clothing is nothing less than astounding …

In the dark days before color photography — which is, like, 99 percent of history — women with tattoos were seen as unrespectable and inappropriate. Today, of course, things are different; everyone with XX chromosomes has at least one embarrassing lower back tat or twelve. But, back in the day, this was something that was seen as highly unladylike.

Nevertheless, it wasn't that uncommon for your Nana and her squad to get scarred for life. Some more modest ladies got their tattoos above clothing lines, so that no one except the lucky few would ever see them. Others, however, were like "Fuck it, it's 1939 and I can do what I want," and made sure there was hardly a patch of skin left un-adorned.

But regardless of how much body art these women of yore sported, the juxtaposition of their classic-style tattoos with their proper, vintage hair and clothing is nothing less than astounding. 

Here are a few (NSFW) examples of some of the tattooed ladies of the past (and yes, of course they're pixelated … they're from before there was Internet all over the place).