How to See the Dress As White and Gold and Black and Blue Business Insider In February 2015, a photo of a striped dress posted online unexpectedly turned into a worldwide argument. Some viewers swore it was blue and black, while others were convinced it was white Is That Dress White and Gold or Blue and Black? The New York Times 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 White and Gold Dress Illusion Explained: Why Colors Differ Styling Mania The Science Behind the Black and Blue (or White and Gold) Dress