Here's why people saw the dress differently. I See White and Gold, but the Dress Taught Me How We Shape Our Own Reality by Shaant A Culturated Medium A 2015 viral debate over a dress's colors with some seeing blue and black, while others saw white and gold sparked widespread discussion and scientific inquiry. The phenomenon, which began Black and Blue or White and Gold? How Your Brain Sees 'the Dress' Business Insider 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 so we know the dress was black and blue BUT that's not what i'm here to discuss : r opticalillusions