Gear Question

I've noticed that when I buy new gear like the gloves and boots and stuff, it doesn't show any increase in my ratings. I assume it just applies the bonus in the background, which makes me wonder how it works.... i.e. if you have a power of 80, and you wear gloves that give 10 percent, does it make your strength 90, or does it increase it by 10 percent and make it 88?