When it comes to buying clothes as a frugal minimalist we have had some difficulty. We each have a 100 item wardrobe which means less room for items we use occasionally.

This works out perfectly most of the time but now and then it can pose a challenge. There are times when we need an item that we don’t own for a special event.

While there is always the option of borrowing from a friend or family, being on the road a lot makes this more difficult. When we need an item we don’t own for a special occasion, we at times end up buying it.

Of course, this means spending more money which is a big no-no for frugal clothes shopping. This is where trying to live both a frugal and minimalist lifestyle can contradict.

Should you keep these clothes on standby to save money down the road? We decided to have guidelines to go by to ensure the perfect balance between being both frugal and minimalist when it comes to buying our clothes.

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No Yearly Items

If you are only going to use the item once a year, it is not worth keeping in your closet. The space it takes up is not worth the money you would save if you had to buy a new one every year.

We would go even further and say not only does this count for once a year use items but anything you wear less than five times a year. We see this the most with holiday attire. You don't need one dress just for Christmas.

Shop at Thrift Stores

Thrift stores are great when it comes to being a frugal minimalist. This saves you money and is better for the environment. It also makes it easier to get rid of an item if you aren't wearing it since it was a thrift find anyway.

This can also be a great place to find that seasonal item. You can also try to find thrift stores that help out the community in some way.

Rent

Guys have been renting their formal clothes for years and it is brilliant. If you rarely dress up then go rent a suit instead of owning one. Luckily, there are now more options for everyone online that are easily accessible.

Use rental sites where the clothes are expensive to buy but cheap to rent. This may help with making the money for the rental feel more “worth it”. This route typically has more options to choose from as well. Now you have the perfect item without it taking up room in your closet.

Invest in Quality

Don't get us wrong we love using thrift stores, but there are times when it is more worth your money to pay for quality. If it is an item you wear often then it may be better to invest in an item that will last longer.

Going the cheaper route may lead to you buying it over and over, several times a year. With a minimalist closet, you are already wearing items more often and if it's your go-to item you may need something that will last.

Get Creative

The best way to balance being a frugal minimalist with your clothes is to put your creativity hat on. You can save a lot of money and wardrobe space by trying to "repurpose" items.

All it takes is some creativity and imagination (and maybe Pinterest). Can that sparkly dress for Vegas be paired with a cute black sweater and tights for the holiday season? There are ways to dress down or dress up an item that may lead to you wearing it more and not buying something else to fill that void.

At this point in our lives, we think we have found a good balance between being frugal and minimalist when it comes to buying clothes. We have found the biggest thing for us is making sure we choose quality over quantity.

This is also our secret to keeping a 100 item wardrobe and it can be yours too! We love our frugal minimalist wardrobe.

For more frugal minimalist lifestyle tips check out our frugal minimalist guide to buying groceries HERE.