Ties are becoming obsolete, at least in California.
People wearing ties may even be perceived as snobby or stuffy if worn in the wrong setting — unless you’re a lawyer, bank manager, or university chancellor.
Why? Adding a tie pushes you into the next step of formality.
If you add a tie to a jacket, it’s immediately more formal. Ties are also very visible, and can easily become an object of focus.
An ideal place for a tie is under a sweater.
It can be a crewneck, v-neck, or sleeve-less sweater. Abandon the jacket if the look is too stuffy.
A dark brown or dark grey as a grenadine or silky knit would look very nice. Perhaps navy as a third tie for a more formal look.