Balancing career, motherhood, and personal style is no easy task, yet Yewande Thorpe makes it look effortless. She proves that style can thrive alongside ambition and family life.
Balancing a thriving career with motherhood is no small feat, yet Yewande Thorpe embodies this balance beautifully. For mothers working in the corporate sector, fashion is often a statement of identity and confidence. In an environment that demands authority and precision, style can be a powerful tool while still expressing individuality.
As a public relations and communications professional at a multilateral finance institution, Yewande’s work demands poise, confidence and a strong presence. Yet, what stands out just as much as her career is her effortless sense of style. I admired her fashion choices long before I knew she was a mother of two. Her wardrobe speaks volumes: sophisticated yet comfortable, powerful yet approachable.
Yewande Thorpe is particularly inspiring in the way she carries her curves with confidence. For her, dressing well is not just about looking good but also about feeling empowered in every role — as a professional, a mother and a woman with her own identity.
In this edit of Mum Style Diaries, Yewande Thorpe shares how she styles herself to accentuate her best features. She proves that corporate style does not need to be restrictive or monotonous. Instead, it should reflect personality. Yewande Thorpe has a refreshing approach to work style. She is a curvy woman and mother who confidently owns her space in both career and fashion.
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What does a typical workday look like for you?
My typical workday starts with a cup of strong coffee because I am not much of a morning person. I need a jump start. After my coffee, I catch up on emails, finish pending tasks, catch up with the team and join lots of calls. My day usually involves a lot of calls. Most days finish between 5 and 6 pm, but if it’s a busy period, I could be at the office till 9 pm.
How would you describe your workwear style in three words?
Easy. Breezy. Comfy.
What’s your go-to work-outfit formula when you’re short on time?
It would always be a dress! It is much easier than trying to pair a top with a skirt or a pair of trousers.
Are there certain colours or fabrics you gravitate towards for work?
I’m a neutral girl, so blacks, whites and browns mostly. For fabric, I mostly wear cotton for comfort.
How do you strike the balance between comfort and style in your wardrobe?
I am big on comfort in the workplace. Stylish but comfortable — no tight clothes or towering heels, just comfortable and practical. Think flared dresses and skirts, loose-fit trousers, boxy blazers, kitten or block heels, that kind of stuff. I usually joke with my friends that my work style is “cottage core”.
Has your style changed since becoming a mum?
My work style has definitely changed, but I think it has more to do with age than motherhood. When I was in my 20s, I wore tight dresses, pencil skirts and wobbled around in high heels. Now in my late 30s, you would not catch me in a single instance of discomfort with my wardrobe choices. This has absolutely improved my quality of life.
How did you approach dressing during pregnancy for work?
My pregnancy style was not much different from my everyday work style. Comfort was
and will always be key.
Are there fashion rules you used to follow that you’ve now ditched?
I have never been a follower of any fashion rules. Who makes them anyway? As a curvier
woman, I often hear that there are outfits people with my body type shouldn’t wear — and I just laugh at the ignorance. A good example is crop tops. Some individuals think that only people with flat stomachs or abs should wear crop tops. Well, I have neither, and I can’t tell you how many crop tops I have in my closet. Style is about what looks and feels good to me, and I will always go by that, not some shallow, made-up, ever-changing rules by “fashion experts”.
Read also: Fatphobic or fashionable? The truth behind dressing for your body type
Any fashion hacks you swear by for looking put together on a busy day?
A blazer will always elevate even the simplest of outfits. As a corporate girl, you should aim to get as many styles and colours as you can. Throw one on anytime you want to look like you’re about that life.
Are there any Nigerian fashion brands you love for workwear?
This is an area I need to explore more. I don’t really know any Nigerian workwear brands. My work wardrobe consists mainly of Zara and COS. However, outside of work, I wear Nigerian brands a lot. Dye Lab, Eki Kere, Nyosi, Y’wande Lag, Yeside Laguda and Shop FSS are some of my favourite brands.
Are you more intentional, trend-led, or practical with your shopping after childbirth?
Practical, always.
What beauty items do you never leave home without?
Lip gloss, hand cream, mouth spray.
What does being stylish mean to you as a mother and working woman?
Being stylish to me means feeling beautiful, confident and comfortable at all times.
What advice would you give other mums trying to redefine their style at work?
Focus on you and what makes you feel confident and beautiful. Block out the noise, discover
yourself all over again and walk around like you own the place because guess what? You do!
Read more: Mum Style Diaries: How Toyosi Etim Effiong achieves a chic and intentional wardrobe
