Blue cross set in plastic tie clip (8)
I believe the answer is:
explicit
'blue' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'cross set in plastic tie clip' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'cross' could be 'x' (X is cross-shaped) and 'x' is located in the answer.
an anagram of 'clip' is 'plic' which is present in the answer.
an anagram of 'tie' is 'eit' which is within the left over letters.
No letters remain.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for explicit that I've seen before include "'Stated clearly, with no room for confusion (8)'" , "Categorical" , "well defined" , "Clearly depicted" , "Stated directly, quite definite and open" .)