Abstract: An extensible fluid permeable substrate having at least one direction of extensibility in an X-Y plane is provided with improved retraction to make the composite material suitable for disposable garment applications with minimal application of coalesced elastomeric materials. A pattern of untensioned coalesced elastomeric stripes is applied on an X-Y plane surface of the substrate in low add-on amounts of between about 20% to about 100% of the substrate basis weight to make the composite material. The longitudinal axes of the coalesced elastomeric stripes are oriented substantially along the direction of substrate extensibility and desired retraction of the composite material. By applying the minimal amount of elastomer necessary in an open pattern, the economical composite material also avoids negative by-products of elastic coatings or films such as bad hand, bad drape, loss of fluid transfer or intake ability and lack of breathability.