Well, this topic is really a subjective one... much like all of the ones here on headwear, hose, ghillies vs. dress shoes, etc... it truly drills down to one's personal style.

I, personally, usually wear a regular tie with a lay down collar. When going formal, then i'll wear a non-pleated wing tip (only place pleats belong is covering my rump!) with a pre-tied regular necktie (usually advertised online as a 'Euro Tie') that has a thin band around the collar, similar to that of a bow tie, but with no visible clasp (because there isn't one). I don't wear any of my regular silk ties due to the visible seams from the standard tie design, and the lack of a uniform thickness. I don't really like bowties, as its too common, and in my mind, overdone.

Below is what I wore to this year's company Christmas party. Formal, but not a cookie-cutter appearance.



Again, as previously stated, this is all rather subjective. Debating fashion is like debating religon or politics...