The return of the Black Blue dress illusion and more Here's why people saw the dress differently. 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 Optical illusion renews blue and black dress debate nine years on Express.co.uk Roya News Blue black vs. white gold dress that split internet turns 10