"the dress" is different. In the "classic illusions" everyone (or at least the vast majority) of people will describe what they are seeing in a similar manner

"the dress" is different. In the "classic illusions" everyone (or at least the vast majority) of people will describe what they are seeing in a similar manner (an "illusion"). Then, when given an "aid" (such as hiding part of the background) they will "flip" and describe what they are seeing in a different manner ("reality"). There is no such "aid" for the dress (or at least I haven't seen such). It is thus not an "illusion". It is a segmented perception of reality, where reality is this one specific image discussed. It demonstrates that given a specific set of colors on which there is no argument (see wired RGB image), a composition of those same colors can still be perceived differently, but consistently, by segments of the population. They see a different "truth". BTW my 10 people sample had 5 blue eyed people in the black/blue camp and 5 green eyed people in the white/gold camp.