Sales at Lululemon, makers of the contentious $98 yoga pants that we’ve written about, are on the upswing. The company reported a nearly 55% gain in fourth-quarter sales, according to MarketWatch. (Compare that to your end-of-year bonus.)

But what’s still unclear: Is it a sign of the recession—and our desperate need for yoga pants that can be worn forever (as well as to class and brunch)—OR a sign of the recession being over and brand “evangelists” returning to spend? What do you think?