I am always looking for wool clothing in retail places on sale. I went to the Eddie Bauer Outlet store last month and found a $100 merino wool sweater on sale for $14. This summer I went to JC Penny and found a whole rack of clothes on clearance, and acquired two wool sweaters for $6 each. I also went to Old Navy and found a Cashmere blend for $6 and a wool blend for $4. The plus to finding these retail store blowouts is that my wardrobe is not all olive drab or navy blue solids. Functional doesn't always mean doing without a little fashion.

In the past, I've found used Pendletons and Woolrich wool shirts at thrift stores for as low as $5, but usually they price them up around the $15 to $20 range. Even at that price those shirts are much cheaper than new, and usually not much worse for wear.

I've also bought yards of wool fabric on sale and had my wife make various items, like a nice Pendleton wool anorak she made for me that cost me about $20. Unfortunately, I have been unable to break her of the habit of throwing my wool clothes in with the rest of the laundry; the result being my wool clothes eventually end up belonging to my daughters.

Wool was not at all practical in Florida. I got half my wardrobe back in circulation just by moving back to Denver. Wool has it's place, but is not the end all/be all for cold weather. Lucky for me, wool against my bare flesh is not itchy or irritating.

This morning it was about 12 degrees up on the train platform, with the wind chill putting it about 3. I had on my poly HD thermal pants under my black synthetic slacks, I was wearing my Thor-Lo hunting socks inside my oxfords, and I had on a short sleeve poly tee under my Eddie Bauer Merino wool sweater, with my London Fog rain coat with light wool liner atop that. Some lined leather gloves, a wool blend scarf, and a decent watch cap to finish the ensemble, and I have been nice and comfortable all morning. I may have to remove the poly thermal pants soon, as the office is too warm for all this clothing.