I'm not exactly a stickler for details, so any semi links I had to a particular tartan I went with. So I may not be the best one to address the OP's original concern.

All family members on my dad's side, which would have any clan info have long since passed, so I don't need any family "clearance."

My paternal grandmother is Hamilton, so I got a Hamilton tartan mini (I also like to claim that this means I'm somehow related to the 10 dollar bill, the most handsome of all US currency).
My father is Williams, so Wiliams of Wales tartan for me.
"Innes" is really close to my married name, and I think it's pretty, so Innes modern red billie kilt for me.

Seriously, besides this forum, is anyone in California going to give me a hard time for not having a true claim to the tartan? I just get, "Hey cute skirt. Are you Irish?" *eyeroll* But I think only 1 out of 1000 locals know it's a tartan kilt and not a plaid skirt.