Ariel Winter wears a pretty dress and curls her tresses

Ariel Winter wears a pretty dress and curls her tresses as she cradles her nieces during regular Farmer's Market outing 

She plays the younger sister and tomboy of the two Dunphy girls on Modern Family, but in real life on Sunday she was nothing of the sort.

As Ariel Winter indulged in her favourite Sunday activity - a stroll at the Farmer's Market - she sported glamorously feminine spiral curls and somewhat of a more mature look.

The 15-year-old actress also helped take the reins with her two adored nieces, carrying them around and holding their hands in the busy Los Angeles market.

An elegant aunt: Ariel Winter strolled the Farmers Market on Sunday with her sister Shanelle, brother-in-law David Grey and her two nices... looking rather mature

The smiling actress was joined by her 34-year-old sister Shanelle Gray, brother-in-law David and her two nieces nieces Skylar and Parker.

And it looked as if the auburn-haired star had undergone somewhat of a makeover, as she looked quite mature for her age.

Her sweeping tresses were elegantly styled in tight curls that looked to have been professionally done.

Ariel's usual shorts-and-tee combo was replaced by a black and white striped dress and a rather sleek designer leather jacket.

What a beauty! Ariel, pictured here with her older sister and legal guardian Shanelle, got rid of the tomboy look and instead opted for sweeping spiral curls and an elegant jacket

The Disney actress also played the role of doting aunt to her nieces, carrying one on one arm and gripping the hand of the other.

She lovingly chatted to the youngsters, looking every bit the caring and protective aunt.

The five of them of course made a pit stop at their favourite: the icy snow cone stand, where Ariel seemed to almost drop hers the moment she got it.

The teen must surely be learning a lot about the value of family at the moment, as she is in the middle of a bitter family legal battle.

Loving aunt: Ariel played the part of caring and protective aunt perfectly

A happy family: The five were full of smiles and laughter as they indulged in their favourite icy snacks

Snow cone time! Of course Ariel and her family made the obligatory stopover for a sweet snow cone treat

But it's my favourite! Ariel did not want to lose a single drop of her icy goodness

Shanelle, 34, is currently her younger sister's legal guardian after she was removed from their parents' care last November due to accusations that the star had been subjected to physical and emotional abuse from her mother Chrisoula Workman and father, Glenn.

A judge ruled in March that Ariel's custody case would be heading to court in October to decide whether her mother is fit to regain custody of her daughter.

Chrisoula is currently forbidden from communicating with her daughter and is said to be planning to bring a dozen witnesses to trial - including Ariel's brother, doctor and stylist - to testify that she's fit to look after her daughter.

Loving sisters: Ariel and her sister and legal guardian Shanelle seem very close