The present invention relates to a an absorbent article (1) such as sanitary towel, diaper, incontinence protector or panty liner, which article (1) has a substantially elongate shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction and has two side edges (9, 10), a front edge (11) and a rear edge (12= a front portion (6), a rear portion (7), and a middle portion (8) located between the front portion (6) and the rear portion (7), which article (1) moreover comprises a shaping element (4). According to the invention, said shaping element (4) comprises at least two substantially elongate blanks (4a, 4b) which are cross-laid in an at least partially overlapping and substantially X-shaped configuration. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an absorbent article. The invention permits improved manufacture of said article, with less material wastage.
