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 The science behind the controversial blue black, gold white dress 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 How does a black and blue dress sometimes appear white and gold? The Brains Blog