Jenna Bush Hager wears viral 'The Dress' 10 years after debate Ten years ago, a photo of a dress posted on Tumblr sparked a massive debate: was it blue and black or white and gold? Millions argued online, and even celebrities joined in. Scientists later explained How "The Dress" Became an Illusion Unlike Any Other Scientific American 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 so we know the dress was black and blue BUT that's not what i'm here to discuss : r opticalillusions Here's why people saw the dress differently.