Understanding the Black and Blue Dress Illusion 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 Blue Prom Dresses Ellie Wilde Dark Blue, Royal Blue, Light Blue & More! Thedress: 'It's been quite stressful having to deal with it we had a falling out' Internet The Guardian I've been thinking about "the dress" for 10 years. Here's what I've learned.