Uni studies mystery of little black dress

The dress that broke the internet is now being studied by Kiwi university students. The two-toned blue and black frock has re-emerged in a stage one Auckland University critical thinking paper that investigates how background factors skew the way people evaluate evidence.

The bodycon lace trim dress became a global internet phenomenon last month after two Scottish women couldn't agree what colour it was.

They posed the question on social media and sparked a global debate that saw the creation of two warring factions; black/blue versus white/gold.

Now the dress - which for the record is black and blue - has found its way into a Kiwi lecture theatre.

Auckland University philosophy lecturer Dr Brian Sorrell said he seized on the polarising picture to illustrate how arguments could be skewed depending on how people processed things.

"There's that blotch of really bright light up in the corner of the picture that gets most people's eyes to filter out the black and blue and see it in a different way," he said.

"Being sensitive to that kind of possibility helps us be more sensitive to the context from which we evaluate beliefs and premises and propositions."

Sorrell, who initially saw the dress as gold and very pale blue, said it was intriguing, given it was very difficult to change the way you saw the colours.

Not surprisingly, students took to social media as soon as the dress went up on the lecture theatre's large overhead screens.

Sarah Jack posted on a university Facebook page: "Oh god. Make it stop."

Jacqueline Murrey was equally unimpressed: "Will it ever stop? Turn off the lights and THE DRESS IS INVISIBLE."

Sorrell said the students were generally taken aback when it went up on the screen.

The bodycon dress sold out of all sizes and colours within 30 minutes of becoming an internet sensation in February. It is now back in stock on British online store Roman Originals for $102.95.