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 Hollie Structured Corset Mini Dress Gold MESHKI US The Dress Debate Black and Blue or White and Gold British Vogue British Vogue This explains how the blue black white gold dress illusion was possible. But it doesn't explain why some people saw it one way and some saw it the other, and no one seemed to see Is that dress blue & black or white & gold? Matilda's Lab Sequin Corset Bodycon Dress in Gold LUCY IN THE SKY