The thrill of thrift shopping is all in the hunt, as any vintage clothing hound will tell you. But what if you're too busy to rifle through rails of ropey rags in search of that perfect Pucci dress? You could either resign yourself to wearing contemporary clothing, or contact Palette London, a sleek boutique based in fashionable Islington. Palette offers a "finder service" for shoppers from all over the world; owner Mark Ellis boasts that he can track down just about any vintage garment or accessory. Supply Ellis with your measurements and the details of the '60s Ossie Clark trouser suit or turn-of-the-century silk kimono you're after, and he'll comb his network of 50 vintage dealerships across the globe. Once he's found the garment—which can take from a few weeks to several years, depending on its rarity—Ellis will e-mail you a photo of your potential purchase. And best of all, there's no commission. Now that's thrifty. tel: (44-20) 7288 7428;
www.palette-london.com
