>>856459Cotton can make a great windproof layer, and is commonly used in sub zero conditions where it's lack of water resistance isn't an issue.
I wear a smock (cotton) for walking the dog, and for any hiking, camping or hillwalking in the warmer months. As soon as temperatures start dipping under 15C (so now, September, here in Scotland) I switch it out for something more weather resistant as we get a lot of squalish rain and inconsistent forecasts up here.
I like my Barbour wax jackets - good water resistance, good abrasion resistance, quiet to wear.
So IMO I'd recommend something similar, maybe check out the Filson tin cloth outer wear?
Alternatively, if you have money to drop, check out ventile clothing. It's a type of cotton that is tightly woven, which means when it wets out the fibres swell, preventing more water ingress. The double layered jackets are basically waterproof.
It'd give you the advantage of natural material (silent, relatively abrasion resistant) but with more breathability than a wax or tincloth outer. The disadvantage would be price, and that when wetted out it stiffens up, becomes heavy (waterlogged) and takes a while to dry.
