Of the ways to wear a suit without a necktie in cool weather, perhaps the best of a poor set of choices is the roll neck sweater or jumper, where the collar provides a visual anchor that serves some of the necktie’s function.

Single ply cashmere (two ply wears warm under a jacket) plays the best lead in the role of a necktie substitute, though the good stuff – either Scottish or Italian – is as dear as several neckties. Merino wool is a reasonable substitute with most of the hand for a fraction of the cost. Either way, choose a color that picks up a secondary color in the suit, as the sweater picks up the suit stripes in the photo….- as seen on ASW.