Sweatpants are now fashionable, says Calgary designer

The fashion world has spokenand it's telling us that it's totallyacceptabletowear sweatpants to work.

"We have a younger workforceand people are valuing comfort and function over tradition," said Calgary designer Paul Hardy.

So what do you call them?Swousers?Swacks?

"From an industry term, they're called joggers. Which is kind of hybrid of a jogging pant combined with a trouser," he said. "The reason they were created, from aesthetic point of view, is there was such a trend in upscale runners."

But these joggers are not to be confused with gym clothes, says Hardy.

"Iam notsuggestingthat people wearLululemonorathleticwearto the office."

Hardy has already designed acollection of women's sweat pants and says they have been flying off the shelves.

According to market research firm NPD Group, Canadian sales ofsweatpantshave climbed almost20 per cent in the last year and men are driving the trend.

• Millennials driving sweatpant sales, 'athleisure' fashion trend

High-end fashion designers such as BOSS, Fendi, Diesel and Gucci make them for men.Alexander McQueenhas asnakeskin cargo sweatpant available right now for just over$1,200.

Hardy, himself, is a fan ofhigh fashion joggers and owns several pairs.

"I actually have a pair that are part of a tuxedo that I own. Because I have runners with patent toe-caps that were designed as a tuxedo dress shoe."