pared-down nails

Throw me down the stairs my hat.

If I read that a woman trimmed her nails, I'd assume that she was concerned with the appearance of her hands.

If I read that a woman pared her nails, I'd guess that she cut them very short for some practical reason.

Yes, to look more respectable.

Not necessarily to look respectable.

If a woman is gardening or refinishing furniture or a serious cook or an enthusiastic stitcher, she needs short nails. Long nails get in the way.

At one point long nails were a status symbol, announcing to the world that the woman did absolutely no physical work.

And these days, they indicate that she works corners.