Absorbent article having inflected barrier cuffs

Absorbent articles having side panels that provide inflected barrier cuffs which promotes better containment and fit. The absorbent articles comprise a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet; a side panel extending laterally from each longitudinal edge of the absorbent article and having a proximal edge and a distal edge; spacing means for spacing the distal edge away from the liquid-receiving surface (topsheet) of the absorbent article; and a closing means for securing the distal edges inboard of the proximal edges in the front waist region. The distal edge of the side panel is secured inboard of the proximal edges in the front waist region and is disposed outboard of the proximal edge in the rear waist region when fitted to the wearer. Thus, the side panels are inflected such that the portion of the side panels in the rear waist region provide a gasketing action about the buttocks of the wearer to contain exudates and a snug fit, while the stand-up portions of the side panels in the crotch region and the closed portion of the side panels in the front waist region provide channels to contain, restrain and hold body exudates.