Is it black and blue or white and gold 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 Eleven years ago, a single photo posted on Tumblr sparked one of the biggest internet debates of all time. The dress instantly divided the world, some swore it was white and gold, Dresses Black And White Striped Top With Black Bottom Poshmark The Dress Illusion WHITE & GOLD BLUE & BLACK Here's why people saw the dress differently.