The actual dress was black and blue. The confusion came from how lighting and color perception tricked people's brains, making some see it as white and gold. It became a viral example How does a black and blue dress sometimes appear white and gold? The Brains Blog Sleeveless Twist Cut Out Front Mini Bodycon Dress In Black And White EGO AE EGO How "The Dress" Became an Illusion Unlike Any Other Scientific American