Tom,

you can try civilian labs gear that can be seen at TAD gear site. You wont have a mall ninja look but a yuppie/hipster one (don't know which one is worse). Althou by reputation civilian labs stuff is really well made and smartly designed.

http://www.tadgear.com/x-treme%20gear/gear%20organizers%20main/civilian.htm

I had similar dilema as you so I got TAD fastpack and attached few Kifaru pouches all over and it works for me just fine.