Nothing stopping you from getting a "compact" or "semi compact" double. The small chainring gets you just about as low as a triple without tracking down a wide BB, and looks much more elegant. It's also totally compatible with some rear sprockets well into the 30's with a medium cage.
I just got this from Ben's Cycle and it's well made.
ETA- They have a sweet Sugino triple for 2 bills that looks "vintage" for the most part.