An Herero woman and children. The elaborate dresses and unique hat styles of Herero women can be traced back to 19th century German missionaries who took exception to what they considered an immodest form of dress among the tribe. They insisted that Herero women adopt their own impractical style of Victorian-era dresses. Over the years, colourful Herero dresses have evolved as enormous crinolines worn over five petticoats. Herero children in rural areas wear simple attire: a piece of cloth hanging from a leather belt in front of the body, while long decorated leather tails from the belt hang down their backsides.