Ariel Winter's mom says star's clothes are 'cry for help'

Sept. 20 (UPI) -- Ariel Winter's estranged mom says the star's revealing clothes are a "cry for help."

Crystal Workman criticized Winter's outfits in an interview with Inside Edition published Tuesday after the 19-year-old actress defended her fashion choices in an Instagram "rant."

"I just want to see her have respect for herself and have some class," Workman said after Winter wore a dress with two thigh-high slits to the Emmys on Sunday.

"I feel that Ariel is starving for attention," she added. "I feel this is a cry for help from my child."

Winter had said in an Instagram post Monday that she's "just living" when the paparazzi capture her in revealing clothes. She explained she can't control media attention and consequently just wears what she likes.

"People wear shorts. People have wardrobe malfunctions. No one is perfect," the Modern Family star wrote. "I'm not a stylist! I don't know what to wear everyday so I look 'appropriate' and 'fashionable.'"

"Also, screw having to always look appropriate or fashionable," she declared. "For what? Society? Who gets to decide what is appropriate or fashionable???? I wear what I like and no one should fault me for that."

Winter was legally emancipated at age 17 after alleging Workman was emotionally and physically abusive. She said in the Sept. 13 issue of The Hollywood Reporter that Workman sexualized her appearance from age 7.

"[She dressed me in] the smallest miniskirts, sailor suits, low-cut things, the shortest dresses you've ever seen," the actress said. "People thought I was 24 when I was 12. If there was going to be a nude scene when I was that age, my mother would have a thousand percent said yes."