E-Mail This Article to a Friend Pajama glam Who says you can’t look good 24 hours a day? BY NINA SCHWARTZ

IN SPRING, so they say, a young man’s fancy turns to love. Debatable. However, it’s a fact that when the last leaves have withered and fallen to the frozen earth; when the trees stand naked and the frosty air stings your eyes and burns your lungs; when the sidewalks are slick with ice and the buildings are dusted with snow — that is when a woman’s tender thoughts turn to her elastic waistband. This is the season when she craves the warm embrace of that XXL college sweatshirt she refused to give back to her ex-boyfriend when they broke up. It is on these nights that a woman yearns for nothing more than a ripped tank top from 10 years ago and a pair of bleach-stained, filthy sweatpants.

Contrary to the falsehood perpetuated by lingerie catalogues and WB dramedies, most women do not laze about in lacy teddies and sumptuous satin pajamas. The vast majority of us do not take leisurely breakfasts on the veranda in skimpy silk robes, nor do we lounge around the apartment in formfitting sleepwear. We cling to our oldest, most threadbare stained T-shirts, sweatshirts, and flannel pants, and we wear them just about every night.

But that’s not to say a girl isn’t entitled to a little luxury every now and then, or that she doesn’t enjoy looking cute when she goes to bed (and even when she wakes up). She is, and she does, and here is what she should buy.

Of course, the mother ship for cute and sexy pajamas is Victoria’s Secret. Garter belts and Miracle Bras aside, the store’s PINK line of tanks and pants is comfortable and adorable. Among this bright and playful collection are lace-trimmed cotton hot pants ($20/three), polka-dot flannel pajamas ($49.50), and a teeny-tiny pink terry-cloth robe adorned with the line’s signature pink-and-white dog ($49.50). If you want to steer away from the cute and more toward the sexy and lavish, satin pajamas ($49.50) come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, and you can even buy matching quilted satin slippers ($22). Or, if you’re feeling raunchy, try on a pair of feathered satin high-heel mule slippers ($48). They’ll look great with an ornate and frilly robe ($78–$98) from Anthropologie while you’re sipping your Moët on the balcony.

Sexy sleepwear is all well and good, but pajamas are also an excellent vehicle for quirkiness. Check out the Munki Munki farmers’-market-themed PJs ($85) from Turtle, adorned with vegetables, fruits, and other crunchy, wholesome things. And for all your bizarre-loungewear needs, try the Cat’s Pajamas ($66–$86), available at Topaz or at the Cat’s Pajamas Web site. The line includes pajamas, sleep shirts, and capri sets in photographic and stylish cartoon prints. Anthropologie has a kickin’ pair of flannel PJs ($68) covered with — what else? — shoes, and if you want to go all out, you can get the Burberry signature Nova check nightgown ($195) at Neiman Marcus. Our favorite? The classic signature red cotton pajamas for men or women ($70–$80) from Red Envelope, which you can order inscribed with any nickname you choose.

You’re bound to get at least one item of sleepwear as a gift this season. And once you do, you can get right to work staining and ripping and over-washing it until it’s just perfect.

Where to get it:

• Anthropologie, 799 Boylston Street, Boston, (617) 262-0545; Atrium Mall, 300 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, (617) 559-9995; www.anthropologie.com

• The Cat’s Pajamas, www.thecatspjs.com

• Neiman Marcus, 5 Copley Place, Boston, (617) 536-3660; www.neimanmarcus.com

• Red Envelope, www.redenvelope.com

• Topaz, 1702 Mass Ave, Cambridge, (617) 492-3700.

• Turtle, 619 Tremont Street, Boston, (617) 266-2610; www.turtleboston.com

• Victoria’s Secret, various locations; www.victoriassecret.com