Is it white and gold or blue and black? The truth behind the dress debate. CooperVision Science explains how time spent outdoors colors your view of #thedress Los Angeles Times Black & Gold Floral Swing Dress Unique Vintage 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 I've been thinking about "the dress" for 10 years. Here's what I've learned. Here's why people saw the dress differently.