To me drop bars are designed first to provide multi hand positions and positions that place the wrist midway in its ability to rotate. And contact points in the meaty part of the palm and away from sensitive nerves. The combination of all these things and being a wrapped griping surface that will allow padding to be placed under the wrap gives the most options for changing overall body posture during a ride and also the lesser strain on hands wrists and arms.

The ability to be aero is a secondary function of the bars. They may have been designed to race but so was derailleur gearing, thin high pressure tires and overall lightness of every component on the modern bike. We are bombarded with images and marketing that make us see things like drop bars as a racer only option. But there is nothing wrong with a French fit frame and or a shorter and steeper stem and bringing the bars into the location needed by most normal casual riders. I have mine at a height that suits my needs and the hoods are above the saddle height and the drops are below. With the higher drops that is my position of greatest control and my riding is split about 50/50 I can’t come close to flat back position but can get aero enough when heading into a wind to make a difference. Shifting back a little in the saddle allows for a little elbow bend that will get me flat for a fast downhill if I want that.

I have what most would call an upright saddle and it works fine with drop bars set to be comfortable. The problem is most shop fittings are done by people used to thinking about drop bars in the racing model. So you may have to learn about your own best fit if this is how you want to ride.