I was curious to see what you gents might use a lighter coloured necktie for. I was recently given a creme coloured grenadine. I would not place it atop a white shirt but perhaps pink or blue? I hoped that some here could relate some confident uses.
Blue, especially blue gingham. Or maybe medium-to-wide bengal stripes.
Pink.
For the daring: perhaps a green of some kind.
This is a tough one. I wouldnt wear one to work, unless it's like 100 degree heat wave, then maybe that tie will be refreshing to the observer's eye, maybe on a pink, medium to pale blue or lilac shirt, perhaps in a linen cotton blend? I wouldnt wear it on a pastel shirt that has white stripes. I also wouldnt wear it on a shade darker than "medium".
For afterhours, wear it on whatever you like except white, where the lack of contrast will negate it's value which is as a focal point.
I am not a big fan of green in shirts, except as part of a pattern for country shirts; solid green shirts sound ghastly. I have a hard time seeing a cream or white tie used on top of a country shirt even in summer weights and during summer itself.