An absorbent garment that includes a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis. The absorbent garment also includes a front region, a back region and a crotch region, with the crotch region being disposed between the front region and the back region. The crotch region includes an absorbent assembly. The absorbent garment further includes a front panel in the front region, wherein the front panel includes an inner layer, an outer layer and a front longitudinal end; a back panel in the back region, wherein the back panel includes an inner layer, an outer layer and a back longitudinal end. The front panel and the back panel each include a stranded elastic area between their inner and outer layers. The front panel also includes a stretch banded area disposed between the inner and outer layers. The stretch banded area is disposed adjacent the front longitudinal end.