I don't understand the obsession with black & silver plates. It's obviously a widespread affliction, but it's never interested me. Reflective material must have been introduced to increase visibility (you would have thought), so it's a matter of self preservation. Break down on a dark country lane (or Mway hard shoulder at night) with a poor battery and all you have is the plates and rear reflectors. Unlikely I know but long shot accidents do happen.
The Lotus boys are obsessed with smaller front plates on Elises and I don't get what that's about either. I must be a conformist.