The concept of coolness as the triumph of the DIY

personal expression in cool individuals

Abstract

DIY constitutes a differentiating way of personal expression, in contrast to the mainstream and is commonly linked to alternative cultures. This practice shows a discrepant character caused by a rebellious opposition to the majority currents, through the creation of its own cultural products. Cool individuals often make their own cultural products spontaneously. Coolness is a quality possessed by some people who resist traditional customs and create a new pattern. Because this level of individuality and spontaneous creation is not achieved by everyone who makes products through DIY. The objective of this manuscript is to define this quality of cool to understand these personal manifestations in opposition to the conventional and to understand the reason that will make them be desired by the public. The methodology is a diachronic bibliographic review by analysing the meanings of dictionaries and the explanations offered by authors in books, manuals, articles, and theses in various languages. The article located and analysed definitions of the concept of cool and its evolution from its origin in the United States in the 40s of the 20th century, in various countries, to its implementation in the language of trends and fashion.