/cgl/ - Cosplay & EGL

how comparable are Taobao pieces and fast fashion clothing? Are Taobao dresses slightly better in terms of quality than fast fashion, or is it the same quality?

I almost exclusively like OPs/skirts/JSKs with prints, and a sorta planned to get into lolita by buying some basics (shoes,hosiery) from bodyline and buy a second hand print JSK and blouse and maybe some headpieces and then amassing more second-hand JSKs/skirts/OPs and things (different colored tight, shoes, and accessories) to go with them over time,but I hear that a beginner should mainly get solid- color JSKs and skirts

Should I start out with prints or should I learn how to coordinate solid-color pieces together first and put the printed dresses on hold?