lavender brown dress Tegan Mini Metallic flecks give this a subtle sparkle that shines in any light. Lavender Brown - Tulips in

Other contextual knowledge may come into play, for example you are drinking coffee by the window at dawn

Brand Name Calvin Klein Product Name Short Sleeve Belted Bubble Aline Gender Women's Color Black Cream Price $118.15MSRP: $13915% OFF Calvin Klein - Chiffon A-Line with Lurex

Occasion: Prom,Evening,Formal,Bridesmaid

The color is better than in the photos (on a spectrum, it's more periwinkle and less cotton candy blue)

If your brain concludes that the image is illuminated by a cool source, like a blue sky, youll ignore the blue wavelengths of the visible light spectrum and determine that the dress is white and gold

Natasha Bird is the Former Executive Editor (Digital) of ELLE.