ELI5:Why does this dress appear white gold to some people and black blue to others? : r explainlikeimfive 9ct White Gold Illusion Solitaire Diamond Dress Ring Keanes Jewellers 10 years since THE DRESS blew up Internet. Two thirds of people saw white and gold. Its an optical illusion caused by weird lighting and an overexposed background. It Is actuallylly blue and black. In February 2015, a photo of a striped dress posted online unexpectedly turned into a worldwide argument. Some viewers swore it was blue and black, while others were convinced it was white