Thanks, everyone! It looks like gel pads are the way to go. I actually wore my old Krash Pads yesterday because I'm working on turning my half flip into a single flip, and thought some padding might give me a little confidence boost. I didn't fall, so I can't attest to just how much absorption they have, but they weren't constrictive or uncomfortable, and the foam rubber in them still feels pretty stiff and sturdy, even though they're 20 years old. So, at least I have something to wear in the meantime while I figure this gel pad thing out.
What I like about my Krash Pads is that they velcro around the waist, and then have a strap that comes up through your legs and velcros. You can put them on over whatever you're wearing, and take them off in a snap. Rather than a series of small-ish pads for certain spots, the hips and butt are complete padded. They cover about the same area that brief-style underwear would. So, I love that ALL of my padding (hips, butt, tailbone) is right there in one piece, and I don't have to change my clothes when I skate on my lunch hour.
Does anyone know if something like that exists, but with gel pads? That you can velcro on and off? The closest thing I've found so far is the Se_Ku brief, but that would still require changing my clothes, and I'm dubious that it would fit under jeans. I don't wear tights or leggings (I wear jeans or basic GapFit workout pants), so I don't have a way to easily hold individual pads in place, and I do really like the over-the-pants on/off.