Dear Turnplow;
I can only speak from my experiences with uniforms.
My father's uncle/my grand uncle- was a World War I veteran, and his uniform was wool (US Army green); and he had an Eisenhower cut jacket.
It was a better quality of wool than my father's WWII Navy Uniform made with wool.
Now, that said--I could not test my grand-uncle's wool jacket but, we were able to experiment with my Dad's wool Navy Trousers. If a sailor found him self overboard, the bell bottomed trousers were so they would be easier to take off. Then, when off they were to use their belts to clamp off the waist portion of their trousers; then take the pants legs and scoop up air by waving in the air and tie off the bottoms of their belled legs of the trousers. This made an impromptu 'life jacket.' The wool seemingly was able to retain the air trapped, when wet and acted as it was supposed to have done. My Dad demonstrated this in a pool of water; to our amazement.
Cotton, though thin takes a longer process to make. In addition, the cotton would be prone to tears if in rough conditions. To replace in mass volume is not cost effective. Canvas was more worthwhile to use. Due to the lack of leather, the CSA used canvas for leggings, saddles and such towards the end I am told.
But, what may not be known--is that wool acts as a filter. Pure wool is used by perfumers (those who smell test perfume/scents). It clears the orafactory passages in the nose. It is also an excellent face mask when in fire/smokey conditions. Again, the filtering aspects of pure wool; be it a scarf or uniform. My great uncle was dead before I met him. I never knew my father's parents either...however; I was 'told' that the wool jacket my grand uncle wore, he used to get through the gas. He made it home but, so much muster gas; he was affected when he finally made it home to Baltimore, MD.
From my own experiences in wearing the uniform, I've used my wool blouse as a filter, when going into fires and or smoke situations. And, I have worn wool scarfs throughout my career in uniform; to which it does indeed work as a filter. It has to be pure wool--no added extra products will work with wool to make it as affective/effective as a filter.
As an equestrian; our dress hunting blouse/jacket is made of wool. It takes a lot to snag it and or tear it; as hunting causes one to encounter barbs on bushes, fences, posts, trees and it also protected against the weather. The 'stock' the white tie (the old fashioned kind) could work as a sling; the pin to affix it. Everything on a huntsman's uniform is functional (in the old days at least-pre-cell phone). There are a lot of codes associated with 'hunting' horseback; as to tell other equestrians your situation. The same in the horse mounted volunteer militia; to which the wool uniform was light for summer and heavy for winter. The breeches (pants) was also wool, again it kept the weather and its external hazards to the body out within reason.
Like my father's WWII Navy uniform; each portion of the uniform was functional. Belts, ties--could be used as slings, make an emergency tie off for injuries, tie up prisoners, fix a machine in an emergency until hands got to the spot for repair, used to hoist up a buddy,etc.
Hope this is of help.
Just some thoughts.
Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf
Bringing the