A wearing article includes a chassis having front and rear waist regions, a fastener mechanism adapted to fasten transversely opposite side edges of the chassis, and an elastic adjusting element adapted to stretch or contract at least one of the front and rear waist regions in a transverse direction. The fastener mechanism includes flat and rigid male fastener panels each having a proximal end secured to the side edge of the rear waist region, and female fastener members located on the side edges of the front waist region so that the male fastener panels can be releasably engaged with the respective female fastener members.