These are all great ideas, thank you!
Firecracker, I got some Apt. 9 heathered gray tights once, the same line as my favorite black ones, and I couldn't even get them on. SO weird that they wouldn't fit. But there are other options. I have a credit at Sock Dreams, too.
unfrumped, I think I could do the drama a few times! It might be a bit much for me regularly, and even if I liked it, it would feel too bland to repeat very often. (I'm slightly appalled that I described a dramatic outfit as bland... but it's true.) Gray-out is an interesting idea. I'm not sure I can handle it by my face, but it's worth trying. Ribbed tights are an excellent idea, similar to the marled/heathered idea in color variation.
Brooklyn, I have all three of those colors! And I may have some brown in the giveaway pile. None of these tops actually have brown - the burgundy background is black - but it's still worth trying.