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 Is That Dress White and Gold or Blue and Black? The New York Times Women's Summer Dresses J.Jill Debate rages over color of dress photographed in rare light Features dailyrecordnews.com Dress drama: Blue and black or white and gold? What's the science? Genetic Literacy Project