Some of it is pretty simple really, wool tends to hold it's shape much better, not packing or lumping like synthetics when it gets wet and it also retains much of it's insulating property when wet. I chose to stay with wool jackets and coats back in the 70's when the synthetics were coming on strong. Now days it looks like I'm vindicated in doing so.
Dating myself here...When I joined the Navy, the blue uniforms, dress and working, were of melton. Many is the time onboard ship or even ashore when cash ran short that I hand washed them with a scrub brush. Stretch (block) to dry then fold them and place them in my bunk pan to press them. Newer uniforms are of serge but I understand that they hold up well to the same treatment. Just don't forget and throw them in a dryer like one guy did. They would have be tight on a barbie doll when he took them out.
Jimmy is right, as usual, the melton was not a strong material but it sure was warm on those long cold nights of topside watch and lookout duty.
Mike
Great that you share your knowledge with us. Great stuff 
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