I've been thinking about "the dress" for 10 years. Here's what I've learned. Gold Lace Appliqued White Mermaid Unique Prom Dress Promfy The White and Gold (No, Blue and Black!) Dress That Melted the Internet The New York Times The Great Dress Debate: White and Gold or Blue and Black? Trompe L'oeil Fashion Trend: Optical Illusions Clothes 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.