Rossynant
Well-Known Member
+1.
Keep feet, hands and head well dressed, most heat escape is through them.
Two things should be remebered:
Wool is the only stuff keeping warm when wet;
Wind must not penetrate the clothing - and this holds for pants and boots too.
"Real", not treated wool will not soak much water and can be worn wet, still keeping one warm - no other fiber can be used wet. Wet cotton will actually cause frostbite (congelatio, or whatever the term), it's downwright dangerous, some other 'wicking' synthetics pose same danger.
I used any kind of hi-tech modern ideas there were, for skiing or clmbing as those are lighter and better when sweating, but those are much inferior to normal wool clothing outside of active sports. Certainly while sitting still in cockpit.
Tips from colder climate
: I use woolen sweaters, thick, knitted from untreated wool - flannel shirt (soft, or a sweatshirt etc) + such sweater + warmed jacket is enough in -30 or so in the mountain winds 
Avoid stiff collar and such. But more important are woolen soft pants (or any sport pants, warm) put below oilies (or jeans etc when ashore); woolen thick socks (knitted are best); woolen gloves; woolen cap, thick. On boat I use wellies made of foam (EVA) entirely, sole included (soft sole, best nonskid I know) - light, warm, windproof. Cannot soak, should get wet inside - can be wiped dry. Warm feet are essential.
Outer layer must be windproof - so oilies - and not breathable. As said wool under it may get a bit moist, no problem. Breathables are for evaporating sweat from under, this evaporation has cooling effect, sometime this aspect gets forgotten...
For winter condition sailing: shirt, sweater, and thick fleece jacket under the not-insulated oilskin. But fleece is only good when dry - not so easy to keep it dry and it holds tons of water.
Better to have insulated storm wear, and best IMHO are flotation suits, with foam built in, those are so warm that sometime wearing pants of this kind is impossible... Jacket can be unzipped to cool down, so more comfortable.
Also a great safety measure; not only provide flotation and keep warm in water but save from bruises aboard. No reason to spend much on "modern sports gear" - best stuff is available from industry clothing. Fishermans floating oilies can be found cheaper and better than made for yachties. I like those http://www.mullion-pfd.com/products/floatation-garments/jacket-and-trousers but there are cheaper kinds in UK. Very thick fleeces I buy (handfull) at industry clothing are exactly the same as most expensive sports stuff, only no brand name sewn on; 7 pounds. My foam wellies, now many years old and good as new were meant for foresters, 10 pounds. Good woolen garments may be not sold in UK industry stores, though.
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