Laborers or peasants are sometimes seen in what superficially appears to be a short kilt, which has some embroidery around the lower hem. However, this most likely represents a l ine , with the upper part thrown off to allow for coolness and freedom of movement while working. This would indicate that the neck-line of the l ine is big enough to allow the wearer to put his whole body through it, so that it hangs around the waist. One figure on the cross shows an opening big enough to do this. The l ine as seen in the Book of Kells has a high neckline, too narrow for the wearer to throw off the top of the garment for work.
Sleeves are narrow and close to the arm.
The long, flowing sleeves of l inte from the 16th century are a later development. The l ine is usually described as being gel , or bright. This probably indicates light-colored linen. Some of the l inte shown in the Book of Kells are of various colors, including light blue or green, which are obtainable with woad, with an under-dye of weld for the green. The Book of Kells seems to indicate embroidery or woven borders at the neck, wrists and hem.