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 Sparkle Shine White Prom Dresses Long & Short Prom Gowns Stacees ELI5:Why does this dress appear white gold to some people and black blue to others? : r explainlikeimfive Is That Dress White and Gold or Blue and Black? The New York Times