According to what you've reported in the past, your commute is shorter than a trip to the outhouse in Arkansas. So your experiences might not be exactly representative. Might be helpful to the OP to mention that.

Mine's 6.5 miles. In summer, that doesn't require any preparation. In winter, you betcha. Overdress and you're sweating like a pig inside windproof clothes - underdress and you can't feel your extremities. I recall in the winter months I'd have to check the weather before dressing to gauge how many layers of socks to wear, whether I needed full tights or whether shorts would work, which gloves I'd need, whether I'd need a balaclava, rainproof gear, etc.