Beyoncé & Solange at Vera Wang's spring show. Photo: Getty Images

There are many unspoken rules of Fashion Week—who gets to sit where, who gets to go where, who gets to talk to whom—but few garner as much attention as who gets to wear what. With a gauntlet of street style photographers at the front of Lincoln Center and a cadre of paparazzi staked out in the back (never mind the rows and rows of eager editors with camera phones), it’s likely that if you are remotely recognizable, your picture will be taken and your outfit will be broadcast out and discussed as much as (if not more than) the actual clothing shown on the runway. This is especially the case for celebrities, and while there is no right way to dress for Fashion Week, you can usually break down their choices into three specific groups. Vera Wang’s spring ’12 show this morning is the perfect case study for this New York Fashion Week phenomenon: the Front Row Fashion Tribes.

The Under-Dresser

What: Either an It-Girl with serious fashion cred or a performer who appeals to a more indie base. Both are confident with their personal style and don’t have anything to prove.

Who: Jen Brill and Solange Knowles, who both opted for pants instead of a skirt and forwent major accessories.

See Also: Alexa Chung at Cynthia Rowley, the Fanning sisters at Rodarte.

The Over-Dresser

What: A Fashion Week neophyte or a star who hasn’t been to the Oscars but would really love an invite.

Who: Kim Kardashian, who showed up for the 11 a.m. show wearing a one-shoulder, Grecian-style Vera Wang gown with an armful of shiny bangles and an acceptance speech-ready updo.

See Also: Ashley Tisdale at Rebecca Taylor.

The Over-the-Top Dresser

What: A star who eclipses all others around her anyway, but still wears a view-blocking headpiece, a skirt that takes up two seats, or a piece from the about-to-be-shown collection.

Who: Beyoncé, who arrived at Vera Wang in a spring ’12 camel-colored organza and tulle bubble skirt and leather peplum (when a model walked down the runway in a white version of the skirt, Beyoncé elbowed Solange and smiled).

See Also: Nicki Minaj at every show she’s attended this week.