Bright and unusual colors can bring a design to life: Mainbocher gilded a plaid evening jacket; Nina Ricci gave an otherwise traditional dress an electric blue hue; Bill Blass chose a neon hue for this fun ruffled dress; and Norman Norell created a bright, bombastic check. Traditionally, plaid is woven, but other methods can produce the design. Missoni’s famous knitwear offers a sweater-soft plaid, and the design of this printed silk dress appears hand-painted.