I’m in a very similar situation, I got some Lululemon polos and pants that I believe will be ok for commuting (7km each way) and working. I still need to test it during summer, but I think I’ll get away with riding at a moderate pace with a t-shirt and just changing shirts when I get to work. Still need to figure out the bottom half - shorts and change for pants or pants all the way. Regarding the backpack I have a standard North Face surge, it does get sweaty even with spring temperatures. .I’m now checking some of the options mentioned here.
And bike commuting was a lot easier when I was in school and could wear shorts the whole day. I’m going to suggest a “summer short friendly office” hahaha
Can’t report any practical experience on either of those items, lol. Just some trends I’ve seen over the last couple of years that I thought might add to the debate
I used to have a very long commute (60km one way) that I did in full lycra and with only my work swipe card as extra luggage. Now I have a very short (4km) commute that I just do in my work gear (jeans and tshirt, luckily) with a normal backpack.
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I’ve been happy with Du/er pants for being both comfortable for riding and office appropriate. Less of a hassle than changing at the office (or the theater or whatever other location I’m riding to). They’re not cheap, though (though I haven’t price checked with traditional office pants or jeans lately, either).
If I was carrying a laptop I’d use my pannier dry bag (ortlieb). I don’t like riding with stuff on my back if I can help it and it rains too much here to not use a dry bag for a laptop.
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I have one. For a city commuter it has very little benefit. It just goes off non stop. At best it just supplements looking over your shoulder before crossing lanes to make a turn. You know there is no point in checking traffic as long as a dot is there. But that is a very small reason to get a Varia.
I do like how the flash pattern changes with traffic. And people have commented to me on how much attention it draws.
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Yip it falls down in the city. Like I was saying, I am lucky enough to have a commute that’s mostly rural (apart from the rat running drivers) and when it goes quiet it helps me chill 
It was a few years pre-pandemic since I regularly bike commuted, but as others have said the big change I notice is the number of ebikes and scooters. I park and cycle my commute, and I’m quite tempted by a rear hub motor tbh - thinking of human power in from further out, and then motor on for home in the evening (predominantly false flat uphill into the prevailing wind). I’ve seen quite a few posts saying that lots start with this intention, but the weight and drag means it doesn’t happen. I do find the evening spin/ double day takes more out of me than a spin of the same total distance.
Someone mentioned Dyno hubs earlier - definitely the best addition I’ve made. I brought a full wheel from bikediscount, and a B&M German standard 100 lumen light. Adds a bit of weight and drag, but throws out great light in an appropriate patten, and never a worry about batteries/ charging lights.
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The first time I read this I thought there you go another cyclist giving us all a bad name… then I realised the context. 
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Hahaha !! Yes, I suppose I should have phrased that differently… especially as I make a point of stopping at red lights and ostentatiously trackstanding 
Ortlieb do some good laptop cases that look smart and clip onto a pannier. I’ve got one and would definitely recommend it.
I think a big change over recent years is its got harder to buy shoes with cleats suitable for both the commute and the office which I find really frustrating 
but these just dropped Chelsea Cycling Boot - Brown | QUOC 
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