The dress
The dress was a 2015 viral internet phenomenon centered on a photograph of a dress that appeared either blue and black or white and gold to different viewers, sparking widespread debate about color perception and visual illusions. The phenomenon highlighted differences in human color vision and became a major pop culture moment, with scientists and brands alike engaging in the discussion.
Background
In February 2015, a photo of a striped dress went viral after a massive online debate: viewers disagreed sharply over whether it was blue and black or white and gold. The phenomenon revealed that people perceive color differently due to variations in how the human brain interprets lighting and shadows — not differences in screens or eyesight. The dress itself was confirmed as royal blue with black lace. The event became a landmark case study in visual perception, neuroscience, and internet culture, showing how a simple ambiguous image could expose deep individual differences in sensory processing.