‘Dressgate’ Color Theories And Possible Explanations: 4 Things To Know While You Debate [PHOTO]

By now, most of us know that what we see on the Internet can bring about a lot of questions. Right now, a question many have is whether the dress is blue and black or white and gold. The answer could simply be both and blow everyone’s minds, but let’s explore all the possible theories and explanations first.

It all began when a Tumblr user with the username Swiked posted a photo. To her, the picture looked black and blue, but some of her friends thought it looked white and gold. She posted the image to her account and asked her followers. Thus, Dressgate was born.

Here’s one thing we know for sure: The dress is blue in real life. Swiked has written on Tumblr that it’s actually blue and black. She even posted another picture that clearly shows the dress is blue and black. But that doesn’t solve the problem. When some people look at the photo, they see white and gold.

Everyone can thank British clothing retailer Roman Originals, which sells the dress. For those who think it's nifty, it can be purchased in blue, red, white or pink for about $70. Sorry #teamwhiteandgold, that isn't an option.

Possible Theories:

1. It’s just a hoax!

It’s possible. Maybe.

2. Duh, just tilt the screen.

The skeptics are still convinced that a simple tilt of the screen will solve the whole dressgate color debacle. But there’s one major problem here: People looking at the same picture, on the same screen, at the same time, at the same angle see different things.

3. It has to do with emotions.

OK, now this one is farfetched. One of the theories that are floating around the Internet has to do with your outlook on life -- the whole glass half-full or half-empty deal. The theory is that people who see the dress colors as white and gold are positive, and those who see it as blue and black are pessimistic.

4. It’s all about the retinas.

One of the best explanations seems to come from a blogger on NeoGAF, as Mashable pointed out. If someone sees blue and black: “Your retina’s cones are more high functioning, and this results in your eyes doing subtractive mixing.” If you see white and gold: “Our eyes don’t work well in dim light so our retinas rods see white, and this makes them less light sensitive, causing additive mixing, (that of green and red), to make gold.” For the people who see both: “Our eyes are very average, and it could change because of YOUR rooms lighting or the tilt of your phone. This is the same manipulation they use for optical illusions.”

Until there’s a definite answer, dressgate continues. Tweet @mariamzzarella with what your see: #whiteandgold or #blackandblue