Usually the necktie choice was one of the few visible sparks in my wardrobe to indicate my individuality. I have nearly 100 neckties with patterns ranging from geometric to floral to paisley to hand-dyed and hand-painted. I never felt like the ties were strangling me as some men claim. When outside guests visited the company I often received more attention than the executives in the company that sometimes wore a Polo golf shirt with khakis. I also had a white shirt, a gold shirt and a black shirt with French cuffs that I wore with a set of gold cuff links with onyx and mother-of-pearl inlays.

There are some companies and occupations where a casual look is appropriate, but if someone is in a public setting then they should dress the part of an executive. Seeing someone like Zuckerberg at a meeting wearing a gray T-shirt does not inspire confidence--even if he is a billionaire.

without a necktie you can unbutton the collar.

As you note though, in the land of the casual the one tied man can be king.

They are sized by neck and sleeve length, so if you get a shirt that fits you in the neck, chances are it won't fit everywhere else. For years I bought shirts that fit in the neck and had them altered to fit. Today there are online tailors that will custom make you a shirt that fits perfectly and it isn't that expensive.

There's a lot of guys out there who just don't know how to dress. More often than not when I do see guys wearing a tie, they aren't wearing a jacket. A jacket will look good without a tie, but it doesn't work the other way around. One of my peers wears a tie every day and usually a shirt with cuff links, but as far as I can tell he doesn't even own a jacket.

The thing about men's fashion is it never seems to stray very far for that long. The executive hoodie trend isn't likely to last, but even if it does I don't really mind one way or another. I don't mind wearing a tie and jacket and I will still be doing so regardless of whether they are optional or not.

Overall the collar, cuffs, lapels, shoulders, pant length, etc have only slightly changed. Before then men's fashion did vary as much as women's fashion did. During the 1900s women's skirt length, undergarments, accessories ... have fluctuated greatly. This is especially true during the 20s and 60s. Men either like it (they don't have to spend much money to update their look for each season) or they hate it due to the monotony and boredom. I would like to see something really different catch on since I am bored with the suit and tie which passed its prime about 50 years ago.