Photo finally solves the black and blue white and gold dress debate Black and Gold Dresses: Formal & Cocktail Styles Adrianna Papell In 2015, a photograph of a dress went viral, dividing viewers over whether its colors were blue and black or white and gold. This optical illusion highlighted differences in human color perception 10 years ago, a simple photograph of a dress sparked a global debate unlike anything seen online before. Posted in 2015, the image caused people to argue intensely over whether the dress