'Wear whatever you want people!' Ariel Winter hits out in a passionate online rant after being criticized for revealing red carpet ensemble

  • Winter, 19, attended a Modern Family promotional event on Wednesday night
  • She came sporting a gold minidress by Indian designer Falguni Shane Peacock
  • The young star was criticized for her revealing wardrobe, and also for dressing up while her co-stars kept their outfits casual
  • Winter took to Instagram with a 'rant' asking critics why they care so much about her outfit choice
  • The actress is no stranger to critical comments about her body and wardrobe - and consistently calls out the double-standards she faces 

By Katie Fustich For Dailymail.com

Published: 11:20 EDT, 5 May 2017 | Updated: 13:16 EDT, 5 May 2017

After being faced with a slew of criticism for a recent red carpet outfit choice, actress Ariel Winter is now retaliating at those who questioned her wardrobe.

When Winter, 19, walked the red carpet alongside her Modern Family co-stars this past Wednesday, many couldn't help but notice that the starlet came sporting a decidedly more formal - and shorter - look than the casual cast.

Whereas the Modern Family crew looked laid-back in a collection of jeans, khakis, and button-down shirts, Winter strutted in front of the cameras wearing a heavily embellished gold minidress.

All that glitters! Ariel Winter attended a Modern Family event on Wednesday night sporting a revealing gold minidress

All that glitters! Ariel Winter attended a Modern Family event on Wednesday night sporting a revealing gold minidress

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Ariel Winter posed on the red carpet at a promotional event for Modern Family this week and she was glittering in gold. She received a lot of backlash for her racy look, but we think at Fashion Finder, wear what makes you feel comfortable and the actress looked more than happy with her choice.

The dress was a racy pick by Falguni Shane Peacock that featured hefty cut outs with mesh paneling, showing off a lot of leg, decolletage and also her shoulders - which just happens to be bang-on trend right now.

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One of these things is not like the other: People couldn't help but notice that, while Winter was glammed up, the rest of the Modern Family cast kept things casual

One of these things is not like the other: People couldn't help but notice that, while Winter was glammed up, the rest of the Modern Family cast kept things casual

Happy as can be: Despite the criticism, Ariel looked calm and confident as she showed off the bedazzled design on the red carpet

Happy as can be: Despite the criticism, Ariel looked calm and confident as she showed off the bedazzled design on the red carpet

The look, created by Indian designer Falguni Shane Peacock, featured cutouts on the shoulders, and mesh paneling on the chest and thighs. 

The official Twitter account of the sitcom posted a photo of the cast at the event, any criticisms of Winter and her outfit choice immediately began rolling in. 

Many of the comments were critical, but not necessarily mean-spirited. 'When it's casual Friday and you come dressed like you're at the Oscars,' joked on tweet.

While some immediately expressed their support for the star, saying 'Love you Ariel. You look amazing. You just keep on doing you!' the remainder of the comments quickly turned nasty.

 'That girl oozes insecurity and is 2 minutes away from being like or worse than Lindsay Lohan. Sad,' said a tweet. 'Ariel is def trying too hard to look slutty,' said another. 'Poor Ariel. She needs help,' lamented one.

'Not the Oscars!' Many felt that the outfit was simply too fancy for an event that seemed casual

'Not the Oscars!' Many felt that the outfit was simply too fancy for an event that seemed casual

The bad with the good: Even those who thought Winter looked 'great' were left scratching their heads at the outfit choice

The bad with the good: Even those who thought Winter looked 'great' were left scratching their heads at the outfit choice

Winter didn't let the criticism sit, though, and quickly took to Instagram to fire back at those who had criticized her look. In a post, she posed the question 'Why the f*** does everyone care that I didn't dress casual like everyone else for the panel?'

She continues: 'Why can't people just let other people feel good about themselves and do what they want?' She then proclaims: 'Wear what you want people! As long as you feel good about yourself that's what matters. I know I did.' 

Winter, who began her starring role on Modern Family back in 2009, is no stranger to criticism of both her body and outfit choices. Yet the curvy star remains open and outspoken about double standards in the entertainment industry and her quest for body positivity. 

Part of that journey has been through expressing herself on Instagram, occasionally with revealing photos. When asked about the potential of being labeled a 'slut' for her sexy snaps, Winter explained to Yahoo Style, 'We’re proud of our bodies. We’re proud of who we are. We’re made the way we are. Why do we care?'

Critics beware: After receiving a slew of criticism for her look, Winter took to Instagram to express her side of the story and encourage others to dress in a way that makes them happy

Critics beware: After receiving a slew of criticism for her look, Winter took to Instagram to express her side of the story and encourage others to dress in a way that makes them happy

Calling them out! Winter even responded to a Page Six headline that insinuated she had mistakenly worn an over-the-top outfit

Calling them out! Winter even responded to a Page Six headline that insinuated she had mistakenly worn an over-the-top outfit

Slaying! Winter's loyal fans understood the statement the starlet was trying to make, and stood by her side throughout the controversy

Slaying! Winter's loyal fans understood the statement the starlet was trying to make, and stood by her side throughout the controversy

'If I take a picture and I think it looks good - if it's a little revealing, whatever,' she concluded.

This same ethos applies to her decision to sport a fun gold minidress amidst a sea of jeans on Wednesday night's Modern Family event.  

'I think everyone, men and women, should have the right to choose what they do with their bodies - and not be criticized,' she wrote in a tweet. 

Winter's confidence has been praised not only by fans, but also by her Modern Family co-stars. Julie Bowen, who plays Winter's mother on the sitcom, told Entertainment Tonight of her on-screen daughter, 'She knows exactly who she is, and I've watched so much negativity bounce right off of her.'

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