I like the black jacket - I think the shape is great. I know what you mean about the shoulders, but it doesn't bother me on the picture. It looks very fitted and I think it should work with all types of bottoms.

I can't see the shape of the safari jacket very well, but the color looks very nice. I think I would prefer it with jeans or clamdiggers, if the shape allows. Sorry I am no help on the trendiness question, it seems that safari jackets come in and out of style.

I think this safari style is classic, and you can totally create good outfits with it this spring. I'd also try it with pencil skirts (e.g. a denim one) if you wear those.

I agree with Marianne about the fit of the first jacket, I think it's good!

I think the first jacket looks amazing. You look so hourglassy and your shoulders look absolutely fine. I don't think a high stance is required--the stance just has to sit at a place where it "locks and loads," and it does that for you. It's perfect.

If the stance is too high, it actually looks quite awkward and lumpy and well, bad.

I agree that it's hard to see the shape of the safari jacket, but I don't think it looks trendy and the color is pretty.

Black is AWESOME!! Love it!! The color on the safari one is great, hard to see the shape though.

Love the first jacket, Shana. Does it feel comfortable?

The safari jacket looks like it has potential. But I can’t see how it fits from the picture. Is the belt positioning correct? Fab colour.

Just chiming in to say that the black jacket looks great! That red colour is gorgeous on you too, but it's a bit difficult to see how it fits.

I also love the black jacket. I cannot tell about the fit of the red one but it is a beautiful color on you!!

The first one looks great! The color on the second one is beautiful , and if ii fits well I'd keep it. Safari style is not something I'd consider trendy, like nautical, it always comes back in the summer.

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I have a little confession to make - both those pictures are from last year so my sizing has changed a bit since then (especially since I have been working out like a madwoman). With my husband hovering about me all day long, I find myself with much less time for myself than in the past.

Anyway, I will try to take some better pictures of the safari jacket. The black jacket fits great (better than when I took the photo) - I think those jeans I was wearing in that picture were a size 10 and now I'm a size 6 on the bottom. While I have shrunk on the top since I stopped nursing, my top size has not changed as dramatically (welcome to the world of inverted triangles!). That's why I wonder whether I should try to find some more A-line or poufy skirts to try and balance out the proportions. I have a great BR denim pencil skirt but I am afraid that it makes me look even more like an ice cream cone.

I never actually wore the safari jacket belted - I just tucked the belt ends into the pockets. I suppose I should try it belted and take some pics....