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 it blue and black or white and gold? Dress color debate goes viral CBS News I See White and Gold, but the Dress Taught Me How We Shape Our Own Reality by Shaant A Culturated Medium Blue or Gold? #THEDRESS. The Dress by Vicky Chen Clear as Mud Medium