Photo: Free Pick, Walmart, Pedestal Source

Ah…the wonderful world of streetwear. Streetwear and vinyl culture have gone hand-in-hand since the 1960s/1970s, with the common connector being music and urban appeal. There are plenty of commonalities between the two, such as both being rooted in self-expression, the rarity of the items and, of course, the aesthetics. Vinyl isn’t just about music, however; it’s something comparable to a sneaker drop, thanks to its rich texture, iconic cover photos, and, of course, the magical connections that it provides to the artist you have connected with. If the 2020s have shown us anything, it’s that high-fidelity can be both technical *and* stylish. As such, I’ve put together the ultimate starter kit for streetwear fans. You’re welcome.

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The Techy Turntable

Aka, the “Air Force 1s” of the vinyl world. As an old school music lover and vinyl collector, this is my recommendation:

Next up on this list is a curated list of the essential vinyl records that you should have in your “crate.” These can be anything, as it pertains to your individual musical influences. However, I’ve put together some suggestions to get you started:

Madvillainy – Madvillain

Blonde – Frank Ocean

Thriller– Michael Jackson

Illmatic – Nas

Storage

Okay, so now you need a place to store your stuff…right? Here are a couple of my picks that I think will work.

Pro-Tips for Your Shopping

Here are some things to keep in mind for your shopping adventure.

Check the Pressing: Make sure to check out the history of a record before you buy, as some vinyl pressings sound better than others.

Colored Wax: Many modern hip-hop and R&B albums come in “splatter” or “translucent” colors. That means you’ve got the good stuff, as these are the “limited colorways” of the music world and often hold their value better.

Maintenance: A carbon fiber brush is your best friend.

The Bottom Line

Ultimately, collecting vinyl is a lot like building a sneaker rotation. It’s a mix of appreciation for the classics, an eye for rare “colorways,” and the thrill of the hunt. Whether you’re spinning a pristine Japanese import or a scratched-up thrift store find, the goal is the same: to curate a physical library that tells the story of your taste.

Author Bio

Jael Rucker is the founder of Decked Out Magazine. She has previously worked as the Associate Commerce Editor at PureWow, focusing on analytics and trends to pitch stories and optimize articles that build and engage their audience. Her work has also been seen in Footwear News and WWD. Prior to 2024, she was the style and pop culture editor at ONE37pm for over three years, contributing numerous product reviews, brand profiles and fashion trend reports, which included interviewing Steph Curry, Snoop Dogg and more.