Agree with Slim--use your Gore Tex Shell. Is it too techical looking?

I wear a tee with a wool sweater down to 50 or so, wear my windbreaker with two tees between 40 and 50, wear the windbreaker with a tee and a long sleeve between 30 and 40, windbreaker with tee and wool sweater between 20 and 30, and my ski parka below 20.

The shell should be a good windbreaker.

+1 for FoxWear. 3 seasons on the E Vap Lite. I've ridden ~20F Temps in it. I usually wear a Underarmour heat gear compression shirt under, but temps below 30F I switch to cold gear shirt.

I have a cheap pearl Izumi shell - a windbreaker type jacket and I have two long sleeve wool shirts I got on super blowout sale from IBEX wool - they are hands down they best cycling gear I have. I can wear them all fall, winter, and spring.

I have a pair of windblocker gloves that work wonders. I think they are pearl Izumi. Get a little poly skull cap to wear under your helmet too.
Or a Buff I have several.

https://www.ibexwear.com/shop/products/4/0/mens-outlet

They have winter in NC ? +1 on the wool sweaters. Up here in MA, I find a helmet cover works wonders for all the winter stuff.

All last winter the most I wore was an unlined windbreaker, polypro undershirt, and long sleeve shirts. This worked down to 5 degrees F on multiple occasions. I have a 5 mile commute, and some high wind areas. It's a little cold for the first block, and then slowly gets warm enough. Appropriate head gear and gloves are very important.

I second the Showers Pass. I'm starting my third season of riding everyday. And it's held up great. I use it in all different temp ranges. Especially in winter. It's perfect in the temps that your talking about. Anything below 42 degrees. I add a Sporthill Traveller Jacket as a base layer. That's good down to 18 degrees. Below that I'll add a vest and a heavier shirt.