A disposable absorbent article, e.g., a protective undergarment, and methods of manufacturing such articles. The undergarment is in the form of a chassis having front waist portion, a belly portion, a rear waist portion, a rear back portion, a crotch portion, and a pair of leg openings disposed on opposite sides of the crotch portion. Each of the leg openings has a high-cut concave edge portion at the front section, and a convex edge portion at the rear section. The concave edge portion of each leg opening is of complementary shape to the convex edge portion of that leg opening, so that the undergarment covers a substantial portion of the wearer's leg beneath the buttocks, while a substantial portion of the wearer's leg where the leg meets the torso is exposed.