:) I had left my winter wool in NC a couple of yrs ago and froze my behind off, but I survived. Layer, layer, layer. Cotton T, thick cotton plaid shirt, thick cotton sweat shirt. But I love the winter. Burns calories. LOL
In cold weather, especially outdoors with limited opportunities to change, cotton should never be your base layer. The fibers retain moisture and get cold.
A wool or synthetic base layer is best, a cotton middle layer is OK if you don’t get it wet, then a nylon, wool or synthetic outer layer is great. When layering is done properly, a heavy winter coat isn’t always necessary.
I’ve winter camped in sub-freezing temps where my pants were a poly base layer and a pair of rain pants. Upper was a base, fleece and just a shell with no insulation. Worked great. Sub-zero is a different story. Load up on insulation then.
Cotton socks are forbidden on spring, fall or winter camps with anyone who joins me. Absolutely forbidden. I’ve seen kids screaming in pain because their socks got wet and frozen