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 a ross girl soler lilac puff shoulder tie waist silk midi dress classic parisian style gold ruffle sandals prada cahier leather raffia black white bag5 MEMORANDUM NYC Fashion & Lifestyle Blog for the Working Girl Twilight Elegance Alternative Black & White and Purple Lace Gothic Wedding Dress Viva La Pepa Sequin Dress for Women Party Night Sparkly New Years Dress Black Sequin Cocktail Dress Women Sequin Womens Dress Purple Dress Sequin Gold and White Dress for Women Womens at Amazon Women's Clothing 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 Optical illusion: Dress colour debate goes global BBC News