A disposable absorbent article having laterally opposing interiorly attached side flaps and at least one deployable belt strip. Each of the side flaps has a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member attached adjacent to its proximal edge. The belt strip has a fixed end portion disposed in one of the waist regions and opposing first and second edges connecting the fixed end portion and an opposing free end portion. The belt strip is attached in the fixed end portion and is deployed by being folded laterally outward such that the first edge extends laterally outward from one end point of a diagonal fold line and the second edge extends laterally outward from the opposing end point of the diagonal fold line. The belt strip may be tied to another belt strip or may be fastened to the waist region of the article or to another belt strip.