Just how bulky is bulky? The Higgins hose sound pretty nice. You could consider dyeing them, I suppose... Someone has written a thread on dyeing ecru socks, or was it garter ties?

I've seen popcorn-top piper's hose in colors listed at Tartan Thistle. My feet have first-person experience with the Lewis hose from the Scottish Tartans Museum gift shop. My feet say they are the best kilt hose they've encountered---expensive, and worth it. For a premium, they can special order large sizes for full-figured calves.

Custom knitting: You probably know that Alan H has commissioned a pair of hose from our colleague string.

Arlen's lady wife, Diane, has also made custom hose for cloves and when last heard from, was working on a set of argyle hose for McMurdo.