Thanks everyone. Will go with navy tie or no tie. A week after this thing I have to speak at a student award ceremony. How will the colorful tie go with a pair of slim dark blue jeans -- with the same shirt and jacket?
i would return the tie personally. i dont see it going with anything (at least anything outfitwise that you may want to delve into to experiment : advanced style 101/sf/sartorialist)
however i have been known to buy and keep ties just on their own merit, because i like the pattern. i never used it though.
good luck