Just thought there might be some new commuters,  that are
wondering, what to wear this winter. Post your winter commuting
wear,and any winter commuting tips.

For years, I commuted 12 miles each way all year around, till I retired last January, so I have had some experience that I can pass on.  Layers so you can open up or remove as you warm up during the ride.  Depends a lot on how hard you ride.  I used to hammer for 12 miles and when it was really cold, like near zero, I wore enough to keep me warm standing around in 45 degree weather.  In really cold weather, though, you need several layers on hands.  They have less circulation (less heat source), more surface area (greater heat loss) and are completely exposed to the windchill produced by whatever speed you go.  Oh, and the layers need to be loose so you get as much circulation as possible.  There are some neat things available commercially that you can put on your handlebars to help, but I always cobbled stuff together and made do for little or nothing.  Some folks have recumbents with windshields or fairings, which help immensely.  Just be careful in side winds.

Some of the newer wicking fabrics are pretty good.  Wool is favored by many cyclists in cold areas.  You might go to “icebike.com” and see what kind of stuff they do.

Commuting in the cold hear in Ohio is fun, challenging and could be an adventure.
On the other had it could be down right miserable or some.
One major benefit you do get a workout, however, you do get a lot of flack from anyone that cares.
most of my gear can be found at the used thrift shops and goodwill.
I will start from the top and work my way down to what works best for me.
Just like awanabug our commute was year round and sometimes our paths would cross in the dark and in the cold.
Keep in mind that we both tend to make gear up as needed. Nothing is better than awanabug’s mask for that really cold and windy days.
What I will be wearing is slightly different from what OhioH would be wearing for the same temperatures because he rides a different bike and his pace is faster. awanabug’s and I would be about the same because our pace is about the same even though he rides an upright and I a bent.  We all shop differently so we make up for what we don’t have. There are commuters that will get the new gear that does everything but it does cost a lot of money.
I suit up so that I do not freeze when I have to stop and fix a flat or help someone out. 
I suggest that you keep an on-going notepad of the temperatures and what you wear for that day to really zone in on what you have to have for that particular day.  I find it comes in handy when I am rushed.
I keep a thermometer outside for a visual and us the PC to check the weather condition.
Another note is to keep your valuable skin covered at all times when cycling in the cold.
The most important thing is that you look like a geek and be proud of it.

Head:
For most of the cooler days I use a Headsweate cap under my Helmet.
As it gets colder I put on one of my Skull caps. Wool or fiber mix.
My ears feel the cold under 55 degrees so I wear some kind of ear cover. I have the one that looks like a sweat band and regular ear muffs sometime I wear both.  Sometimes a small piece of paper under the ear muffs work great to stop the wind from biting through.
Then when it drops down to the lower teens I like to us a Balaclava with nose cover.  I modify the balaclava by inserting a thin wire in the seam of the nose cover to make it contour to my face and reduce fogging the eye wear.
For my eyes I use my clear glasses. I never need to wear goggles.

Neck:
Sometimes I would use a thing I have no idea what it is. It is just a tube of cloth that covers my neck. Lightweight and very breathable. My Balaclava works around my neck as well. My jacket has a high neck line as well.

Torso:
The base layer is important and it could be as simple as a light Tee-shirt or something as technical as Body Armor.
My current commute is less than 5-miles and my base layer can be heavy because I start to sweat just as I enter my work’s parking lot. Were as before I would have various layers to adjust according to my output of energy needed so I don’t freeze if stopped.
I suggest to experiment and take extra layers of tops in the pack until you know what is the best combination of layers is right for your commute.

Hands;
Full finger Gloves and liners is all I need. Once I put Duct Tape on my gloves because it was about -20 wind chill factor.

Legs:
Simple for me I like my set of old sweats. I have a light tight and all thicknesses of sweats. No problem in that area since I have a windshield to for my legs.

Shoes:
I have clipless pedals so I got one shoe for all weather. I use booties for the cold and wet.
That is my cold weather gear.

Keep in mind that some oils and grease will tend to gum up components do make a safety check. 

Make sure you do not fill your water bottles up full for they will freeze up on lone commutes or left outside or overnight.
Check out the site below.

http://commutebybike.com/2006/11/01/how-to-dress-for-cold-weather/
or
http://www.astro.umass.edu/~james/sparetime/commute.html
or
http://thegearjunkie.com/winter-bike-commuting-10-tips-to-ride-safe
or
http://www.cycle-safety.com/winter-commute.html

I have been using C-9 by Champion PowerCore Compression tee’s
from Target last winter, and they are just right for me. They wick the
sweat away from the skin. They have long sleeve and t types, and they run
in the range of 14.00 to 16.00, lot cheaper than Body Armor.
If you ride in really cold weather, put you water bottle in your cage
unsidedown, that will keep the water from freezing where you drink from.
Just some of the things I use beside a lot of the things awanabug and Oldslacker
had in thier posts.