An absorbent article comprising: a moisture-impervious outer layer; an inner layer substantially co-extensive with the outer layer; an absorbent layer (133, 118, 116) interposed between the inner layer and the outer layer; a rear portion having a rear side panel (104, 106) with a longitudinally extending side edge, the rear portion comprising a fastener attached to the rear side panel (104, 106); and a front portion comprising a fastener attachment area on an outside surface of the front portion, wherein the attachment area is adapted to engage the fastener; wherein the fastener comprises: a first portion that overlaps the rear side panel (104, 106) of the rear portion; a second portion that extends laterally beyond the longitudinally extending side edge, the second portion having a length that extends in a lateral direction and a width perpendicular to the length and further having: a base layer having an outer portion that faces away from the wearer when the article is in use and an inner portion that faces toward the wearer when the article is in use; an engagement element attached to the inner portion of the base layer; and a grasping element comprising a flexible material and attached to the outer portion of the base layer, wherein the grasping element comprises a tube that extends laterally along the second portion outer portion, wherein the tube is folded flat against the second portion base layer outer portion prior to use, wherein a sidewall of the tube is attached to the second portion base layer outer portion, and wherein an attachment region is narrower than the width of the second portion. a moisture-impervious outer layer; an inner layer substantially co-extensive with the outer layer; an absorbent layer (133, 118, 116) interposed between the inner layer and the outer layer; a rear portion having a rear side panel (104, 106) with a longitudinally extending side edge, the rear portion comprising a fastener attached to the rear side panel (104, 106); and a front portion comprising a fastener attachment area on an outside surface of the front portion, wherein the attachment area is adapted to engage the fastener; wherein the fastener comprises: a first portion that overlaps the rear side panel (104, 106) of the rear portion; a second portion that extends laterally beyond the longitudinally extending side edge, the second portion having a length that extends in a lateral direction and a width perpendicular to the length and further having: a base layer having an outer portion that faces away from the wearer when the article is in use and an inner portion that faces toward the wearer when the article is in use; an engagement element attached to the inner portion of the base layer; and a grasping element comprising a flexible material and attached to the outer portion of the base layer, wherein the grasping element comprises a tube that extends laterally along the second portion outer portion, wherein the tube is folded flat against the second portion base layer outer portion prior to use, wherein a sidewall of the tube is attached to the second portion base layer outer portion, and wherein an attachment region is narrower than the width of the second portion. a first portion that overlaps the rear side panel (104, 106) of the rear portion; a second portion that extends laterally beyond the longitudinally extending side edge, the second portion having a length that extends in a lateral direction and a width perpendicular to the length and further having: a base layer having an outer portion that faces away from the wearer when the article is in use and an inner portion that faces toward the wearer when the article is in use; an engagement element attached to the inner portion of the base layer; and a grasping element comprising a flexible material and attached to the outer portion of the base layer, wherein the grasping element comprises a tube that extends laterally along the second portion outer portion, wherein the tube is folded flat against the second portion base layer outer portion prior to use, wherein a sidewall of the tube is attached to the second portion base layer outer portion, and wherein an attachment region is narrower than the width of the second portion. a base layer having an outer portion that faces away from the wearer when the article is in use and an inner portion that faces toward the wearer when the article is in use; an engagement element attached to the inner portion of the base layer; and a grasping element comprising a flexible material and attached to the outer portion of the base layer, wherein the grasping element comprises a tube that extends laterally along the second portion outer portion, wherein the tube is folded flat against the second portion base layer outer portion prior to use, wherein a sidewall of the tube is attached to the second portion base layer outer portion, and wherein an attachment region is narrower than the width of the second portion.