Backpack vs. Purse

Up until about 1 1/2 years ago I carried most of my "personal stuff" to and from work in a backpack.

I've had to dress up my act a bit because now I am in a position where I have to "look the part", and your basic Jansport nylon backpack doesn't quite work well with a suit. Also, shoving things in my pants pockets kind of makes me look like an inverted chipmunk.

Carrying a purse is the most awkward thing for me. I don't know what to do with it most of the time or I leave it behind because I forget about it. (Or subconsciously I don't want to be seen with it).

Generally, the people that I meet in my business carry either a backpack, fanny pack or an assorted variety of tote bags that they have collected at various conference throughout the year. I'm kind of thinking that wouldn't mind if I didn't carry a purse, but it just doesn't look too professional.

Soooooo, I bought a spiffy new briefcase last week and thought that would solve all my problems. It's big enough to carry my laptop and shove in assorted papers and whatever, but by the time I shoved in all of my personal stuff, the thing got so damned bulky it just looks like an overstuffed mess!

I need a bag in a bag. I need a briefcase that I can carry my laptop in, but then have a little bag inside of it that will carry my wallet, keys, b-berry, cell phone, checkbook, assorted "feminine needs" and of course the tweezers!!

Dressier than a backpack, not as girlie as a purse, something sturdy and smart looking.

Then I can pull the bag, out of the bag because I don't need my briefcase all of the time, but I need something smaller for business lunches...whatever.

Does such a thing exist?

It probably does, but I'm just not looking in the right places.