I'm so impressed by this journey through time, Carter, and almost as impressed by the knowledge of our forum members regarding tile and marble...

Very nice work!. I like the old outfits but can definitely see the difference, and I really appreciate what you said about having to learn how to get dressed without relying on color. (I get cranky when neutrals-lovers are painted as "afraid of color" -- grrr. You never hear anyone saying that the radiant color-wearers among us are "afraid of neutrals" -- can't we all just get along?)

And now the moment you've been waiting for -- your own challengee. Random.org has selected #32, which is goldenpig. Now, there's a closet I would like to be let loose in. This is going to be great!

I'll PM gp, you start a new thread whenever you're ready, and MK can put her pumps up on the coffee table and breathe a deep sigh of happiness at having completed such a successful link in our chain.

I can see the difference in your style evolution, amazing! And your new tile looks good too!

Wow, great work on every level! The "old" outfits are fab, but you definitely rose to the challenge and took them up a big notch!!

And OMG I love that tile! You must post pics of the finished project, for sure!

And I'm laughing and waving back at Mr. Carter!

Wow, Carter, your outfits look so good! The differences between old and new are subtle, but they make a big impact.

You do a very good job at dressing for your short waist (I am a fellow short-waisted gal). I have seen lots of WIWs from you on the forum, but I never knew you were short waisted until you mentioned it in this post.

The changes are subtle, but significant, and your analysis is instructive. Like TG, I am completely in love with the disc necklace and the two-tone loafers. The shoes are just plain fun, and the necklace is so versatile. The semi-tuck has become your true friend, you're right!

As for your bathroom -- wow! Laughing along with Mr. Carter and completely floored (ha ha) that Pam knew your bathroom tile! Please keep us updated on all developments!

Thanks everyone! And thanks again to MaryK for a great challenge. I'm so excited to challenge goldenpig next...talk about an amazing wardrobe!

Gigi, my natural waist is only about 2 inches below my bra. All these years I never knew how to dress accordingly!

Wonderful to see how small tweaks bring perfectly good to perfectly fab. Textbook material really. And I love your gym!

Thanks, Shevia! I need to spend more time in that gym...quite telling that I didn't even think about the mirrors down there!

What ... We even have bathroom tile twins???!!! Lol

Carter ... I loved all your old pics too! But the new ones are just brilliant! Isn't it awesome how small changes can take an outfit from fab to super fab?! I am in love with your shoe wardrobe. Such lovely flats and loafers! And that's one sexy gym!

I really appreciate seeing how the small changes, especially those that changed the proportion of your outfits, made such a difference! It is very inspiring!

It's fun how little things make such a big difference. I liked the old outfits a lot, and I also adore the new ones.

I'm curious what you mean about "backsliding" on color. I love the way you use color in the older outfits also, so I don't see it as a bad thing unless you feel like that much color really isn't you.

In the old proportion pictures, I definitely see overly long legs, but even there I don't entirely see the short waist. I guess I am just seconding what Gigi said...

Wow, Carter, the old pictures look good to me, but you look really polished and put together in the new ones.

Thanks, Neel! I may have given myself a few liberties when I had to replace all my heels with flats, but I love all of them.

Thanks, Jen. Only took me 50 years to figure it out!

Adorkable, I still love color and will always wear it. However, it had become my rut. 75% of my closet was color, so it was always the starting point for me. My recent influx of neutrals (both solids and patterns) has been so much fun. I have a rainbow of both tops and bottoms for Spring and Summer, so I know there will be plenty of color for the next 7 or 8 months, but I don't want to end up back in that same rut that brought me to YLF last Fall. I'm hoping that working in neutral outfits and moderate-color outfits will keep things fresh and fun for me.

Carter, you really aced the challenge! Your old outfits were fab but the new ones were even more stylish! I can't wait to do your fun challenge!

Killer fantastic. You nailed the challenge, Carter - and good job not letting the bathroom remodel get in the way.

I absolutely LOVE the outfits with the cropped checked pants. Perfect length and proportions. And I hereby crown you Queen Loafer. xo

Thank you, Angie!

Wow, I'm so impressed. You really honed in on tiny little critical points, to which the smallest tweak wrought quite the change. I have to study what you did, because I too am short waisted with comparatively long legs. I think your analysis has been spot on.

I can't remember, did you have these in your closet all a long, or have you done some shopping...

Thanks, Rachylou! All the (blue) jeans are recent purchases. I bought the skinnies last Fall just after joining YLF. Once I figured out that the lower rise was a significant proportional correction for me, I started replacing some of my other jeans over the last few months. The BR plaid cropped pants are also new. The cream sweater on the neutrals slide is also new. The black and white loafers and the tan basket weave loafers are new as well. I think everything else has been around awhile.

Goodness, I guess the answer is yes, I've done a bit of shopping!

Subtle differences, Carter, but all so signifficant! I love your loafers, and never occured me you are short waisted! Love the new mostly neutral palette, and your checkered pants are killer! Great job doing this before/after, one can alway find a way for evolution, isn't it! Wavig to Mr Carter, and the guys who had no clue about no mirror drama. Hat off succeding to put all these fab outfits together in that stress you have in your house per moment:-)

So interesting to see your progress. I really like how you "get" color -- and you got it so quickly. I'm still struggling with that. As for proportion, I don't think being short waisted and long legged is a "flaw" you have to work around. What I call a "quality problem." Your pictures look great both before and after, although the after pictures show more contemporary styling.

I agree with everyone that the before photos were great, but am also marveling at how impactful the small changes were. You did an amazing job with this challenge and I really enlpjoyed your thoughtful explanations.

(And super challenge, MaryK!)

Great loafers! And the new bathroom is coming along nicely, how exciting!

Thanks, Lyn67! I'm really enjoying the neutral palette as well. It feels fresh and fun.

Thank you, Denise. Refined color is still a bit of a challenge. I find I have to really edit my outfit on those days to get it right. Still, some are more successful than others.

Thanks, STW. It is amazing to me that small tweaks can really have such an impact (at least in how I view an outfits success or failure).

Thanks, Lisa. I am really loving my loafers...who knew? The shower is still not done...ugh. Fill-in tile today and hopefully grout.

Sorry to be late in commenting, but Carter, you look fabulous!
You looked lovely in the old pictures, but fantastic in the newer ones. You are the queen of the semi-tuck, and it works so well on you! The addition of a glimpse of belt does wonders to make your outfits looked polished. As another very high-waisted person I'm taking notes! I always thought I couldn't wear tops tucked in, but you're showing how it's done. You're also a great role model for showing how flats can look feminine and fashionable.

I loved this challenge! Well thought out MaryK!

You always look terrific Carter and the changes, while subtle, just make your style more spectacular!

You are having a big influence on my style evolution---way beyond the realtor jacket :)! Thank you!

Well done Carter! It's great to see the little tweaks you've made over the past few months.

Marcy, I thought the same thing about belts forever. I bought them. I put them on. But I always changed outfits before leaving the house. The lower rise and the semi tuck changed that. Hope you give it a go!

LAC, you're so sweet! I so want to see your style evolution. The sneak peek from the meet-up was such a tease. I would so love to get to know your style...realtor jacket or not!

Thank you, K. It was a great challenge from MaryK that really helped me figure some things out.

You amazing! I love how you've incorporated new trends without losing your style "soul." Your fits are also perfect -- which makes such a difference!

That bathroom is going to be fantabulous!