What’s the best way to recoup employee uniform costs?

Q: “Can we charge a 100% refundable deposit for uniforms to be deducted via installments thru payroll deduction? We offer optional uniforms; however, it’s becoming increasingly expensive, as most employees do not return the uniforms and our vendor charges us up $500-$600 per set. Alternatively, if an employee signs a wage deduction authorization form which states the full cost of company-issued uniforms will be deducted from his final paycheck if he fails to return said uniforms, and the employee returns nothing, would I be violating the law if such a deduction caused the employee’s pay to fall below the federal minimum wage?” -- Belle-Anna, Texas