Abstract: Absorbent articles comprising pleats and methods for forming pleated absorbent articles are disclosed. In one embodiment, an absorbent article extending in a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction may comprise a bodyside liner, an outer cover, an absorbent core disposed between the bodyside liner and the outer cover, and a pleat extending in the longitudinal direction and having a lower pleat portion and an upper pleat portion, the pleat having a pleat height, wherein the lower pleat portion has a greater stiffness than the upper pleat portion.