One Shoulder Draped Maxi Dress Black Gold Is it white and gold or blue and black? The truth behind the dress debate. CooperVision 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 First brain scan study to feature THAT dress BPS so we know the dress was black and blue BUT that's not what i'm here to discuss : r opticalillusions