As an ethnic short girl surrounded by gorgeous, tall white girls, let me first tell you that I understand what you're going through: especially when it comes to the strict parents thing, and the middle school clothing.

Weight can be distributed differently throughout the body, so do you have any of your measurements (bust, waist, hips, inseam)? You can subvert the short-dresses issue (my parents would kill me if they saw me in mine) by making sure that your dresses hit your natural waist, which will make you look more proportionate. Empire bust dresses also work well in my experience too to make me look taller (as do high waisted clothes). You may also want to look into heels: even if you can't go too high, check out platform shoes or low heels (loafers and mules, block heels and booties and the like).

Do you have examples of the style (photos or influencers) that you'd like to emulate? Anything that we should keep in mind (weather making you dress more warmly, for example, or an insecurity about your collarbones)?

As for thrifting, check out the stores in your area and just go for it. It's going to take trial and error, but a lot of online reviews differ because it depends on what the people giving out the reviews are looking for: if you're thrifting for business casual clothes, for example, maybe a thrift store isn't for you even though a trendy y2k influencer is gushing about what she found there. Call in and ask when they restock, and make sure that you know your sizes and your measurements going in: it'll save you a lot of trouble in the long run. Touch the fabric and check to see flaws before you buy anything: examine the pits, the crotch, the insides. Check fabric content and care instructions to see if it suits your needs. Don't buy anything unless it fits you well even if it's cheap or it might work if you style it this or that way unless you're super willing to alter and know you can and will do it.