Work/commute backpack recommendations??

[Teaandcake08]

Afternoon S&B lovelies, am looking for some help finding a smart/stylish preferably black backpack for work. I walk to work dropping DC’s at school and nursery on the way and can’t keep carrying overstuffed totes due to a bad back- so am on the hunt for a backpack. Hopefully something fairly stylish!
I need to be able to take a pair of heels to change into and my suit jacket, a5 diary, water bottle etc.
I’d like it to look fairly smart as when I travel to meetings I’d probably stick with same bag rather than switching back to one of my totes.
I have seen fact+fiction bags online, with separate compartments but wonder if they look fairly bulky in real life, and seem fairly pricy for something that isn’t leather-so not sure how well material would last for that price? If anyone has one are they worth it? Or is there something better out there?!

I have this exact problem and I think I have solved it- I needed to take the same sort of amount as you- and also lunch- I originally bought the Knomo Beaufort but returned it as it was too slimline and my shoes/ lunch etc bulked it out so it didn't look smart/ feel comfy on. I ended up carrying a backpack and a lunch bag or separate tote which defeated the object. Someone at work suggested looking at changing backpacks (sounds strange but I am a full convert now.) I initially bought this as it was reasonable :

www.amazon.co.uk/Bebamour-Nappy-Changing-Backpack-Waterproof/dp/B01H1FOA4I?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

But as I often meet friends after work- I wanted less of a 'workbag' feel and look when I met them in a bar

I have recently bought this and I LOVE IT

pkbeau.co.uk/products/kiki-backpack

This was a close contender too

www.tibaandmarl.com/shop/elwood-pale-pink
(available in other colours)

Check out Bellroy backpacks. Brilliant designs, that square away so much more than they seem to from the outside. Just hipster enough to be stylish, too!

I have a North Face backpack for laptop etc, but it is a bit outdoorsy (which is fine for me) - it is a proper workbag, pockets for pens etc, and has a spare rechargable powerbank built into it.

I lust after the eBags professional slim backpack and the traveller version of it too. Still comfortable backpack, but much more professional looking. And also good for travelling.

But I bring the North Face one all over with me - I travel to Brussels a lot and it's never been an issue.