Absorbent article with improved fastening system

An article to be worn about a wearer comprising:

• a surface fastening system having a primary direction of load bearing, the surface fastening system including a first surface fastening element and a second surface fastening element, the first fastening element being joined to the article, the second fastening element being disposed so as to be generally in a face to face relationship with the first fastening element when the surface fastening system is in an engaged configuration to fasten at least a portion of the article, wherein an unjoined portion of the second fastening element is unjoined from an underlying structure of the article, the unjoined portion including an unjoined dimension Y extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the article, the unjoined dimension Y increasing from a laterally outboard edge of the unjoined portion to a laterally inboard edge of the unjoined portion.