Wool, polyester, polypropylene, fleece, silk, and other materials used for winter sports work well. Avoid cotton - it keeps sweat close to your skin, becomes a lousy insulator when wet, and take a long time to dry out. Shell - repels water and protects you from cold wind. Outer garments are often ventilated in the back to allow cooling where direct blasts of wind or rain is not a problem. Nylon, neoprene, plastic, and rubber are common materials.
Experience is the best way to determine the right number of layers for the weather.
It s best to start most cold-weather rides feeling somewhat chilly, but not very cold, and allow yourself to warm up to a steady temperature during your first mile. Remove a layer as soon as you start to feel like you might get too warm. If you re still cold after a mile or so, add a layer. If you can t add enough layers to get warm, seek shelter. If your ride is very short, e.g. a mile or two for transportation purposes, and your priority is comfort, go ahead and dress warmly from the start, and regulate your temperature by regulating your pedaling effort or removing layers.