Another reminder: While it may be true that Gaels in the 5th and 6th centuries wore the leine and brat, and Gaelic in the 15th and 16th centuries also wore the leine and brat, it does not necessarily follow that they were the same garments.

"Leine" is simply Gaelic for "shirt" and a brat is just a cloak or mantle. These can take many forms, and indeed they did over the centuries.

Think of it this way. American men today wear shirts and pants. Men 300 years ago in colonial America wore shirts and pants. Think how different our fashions are from just 300 years ago. Now imagine 1000 years back. :-)

Aye,
M