I'm just not a lace guy.

Ascots/Cravats remind me of the jock in Scooby Doo... or the fashion of 1970's - 1980's Ken dolls.

A simple 4-in-hand knotted tie, a nice shirt, and my black argyle with black buttons (I had the silver buttons replaced) are as formal as I'll ever go at this point in my life.

Faux pas be damned, I find classic daywear to be more to my personal style and liking than the overly formal look anyway - my next Burns dinner likely will be brown leather accessories, tattersall, tweed... and *gasp!* an antler sgian dubh! Ok, I might skip the tattersall...